As the 14th overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft, center Hannes Steinbach joins the Charlotte Hornets after a productive freshman campaign at Washington.
Steinbach was a third-team All-Big Ten selection last season, averaging 18.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals while shooting 34% from 3-point range. He was the first Husky freshman to earn an all-conference nod since Isaiah Stewart (2021).
The 6-foot-11 forward led the country in rebounding and was tied for the most double-doubles with 22, one shy of the program record (Jon Brockman). He set the Big Ten double-double record for a freshman and had the most overall since Zach Edey in the 2023-24 season (30).
Steinbach became Washington's highest draft pick since Markelle
Fultz was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the first pick in 2017. He is the highest-drafted player from Germany since Franz Wagner was selected eighth overall by the Orlando Magic in 2021.
The 20-year-old debuted with the Hornets in summer league, averaging 15.8 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 50% from 3-point range. He registered three double-doubles, including a 27-point, 15-rebound effort on July 15.
Steinbach is among two first-round picks for the Hornets, along with Christian Anderson Jr. He showcased his overall skill in Las Vegas and should be in store for a productive rookie year.
Throughout September, Rookie Wire is compiling some of the most interesting facts about each first-round pick in an effort to further introduce the incoming draft class ahead of the 2026-27 season
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Father
Steinbach is the son of Burkhard Steinbach, who played with Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki with the Würzburg Baskets in Germany. He interacted with Nowitzki often as a youngster and attended basketball camps run by Nowitzki's mentor, Holger Geschwindner. Nowitzki even sent Steinbach a special video message after the Hornets drafted him with the 14th pick.
Germany
Steinbach has represented Germany internationally at the junior level three times. He most recently won a silver medal in the 2025 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, averaging 17.4 points, 13 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.3 blocks in seven appearances. He played alongside Anderson in each tournament.
Washington
Steinbach is among several German players to be drafted out of Washington, including Detlef Schrempf and Chris Welp. He is the fourth-highest German drafted overall in history, behind Schrempf (eighth), Wagner and Nowitzki (ninth).
European Influence
Unsurprisingly, Steinbach watched a lot of Nowitzki growing up and tried to incorporate parts of his game into his own. He has also pointed to players like Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić as others that he often studied while coming up through the ranks.
Tennis
While basketball consumes much of his time, Steinbach told Sportico in June that he considers himself a good tennis player.
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: 5 fun facts: Get to know Hornets' Hannes Steinbach before rookie season
