The Charlotte Hornets selected Tidjane Salaun with the 6th overall pick of the 2024 NBA Draft. As is custom, the general manager, now Jeff Peterson, sat down and fielded a few questions from the media. You can watch the whole thing on the Hornets YouTube page. Here are the highlights if you’re more of a reader than a watcher:

• Peterson answers the first question by saying that he’s super excited to get Salaun, and he was a guy they had organizational alignment on. Referred to head coach Charles Lee’s introductory press conference where he talked about effort and said Salaun meets that standard.
• Said the workout was a small part of the evaluation process but more importantly, the front office spent a lot of time with him and it showed them how good of a person he is
• The team had conversations about trading both up and down but landed on staying put and taking the guy they wanted
• Gained more confidence in Tidjane after several visits to Europe and seeing him play against grown men in the French professional league, especially knowing the type of basketball players France are putting out
• Repeatedly highlighted Tidjane’s effort on the court and willingness to work off it
• Dodged a couple of questions presumably about how good the Hornets think Salaun will be right away saying he doesn’t want to put a cap on players’ ability; Salaun may play a lot in Charlotte or may have to spend some time in Greensboro
• Salaun is excited to get to Charlotte and get to work
• Steve Clifford was consulted on a couple of players and he also liked Salaun
• Closed it out by saying that Salaun has the traits that usually turn into good players in the NBA

Tidjane Salaun also fielded questions from the national media in New York after his selection.

• His sister, who plays for the French national team, is a big influence on him and the two push each other to be better
• Said the draft shows how much better France is getting at basketball, knows Zaccharie Risacher from playing against him for years
• He knows that a lot of French players have played in Charlotte before him; he’s going to bring fire to the team and he’s excited to catch some lobs from LaMelo
• About half the questions were in French, so I don’t know what they were about

Salaun will arrive in Charlotte this afternoon and may speak to local reporters. We’ll update this space with his words to the local media if and when they happen.