What the Charlotte Hornets Are Getting in Illinois' Kylan Boswell
What the Charlotte Hornets Are Getting in Illinois' Kylan Boswell
Kylan Boswell may be a touch undersized, but he'll be bringing a diverse skill set and unquantifiable intangibles to CharlotteJackson Langendorf|
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Illinois Fighting IlliniCharlotte HornetsOn Tuesday night, former Illinois guard Keaton Wagler was selected with the No. 5 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers. The expectation was that Wednesday night – the second round of the NBA Draft – would see another Illini plucked off the board.
Guard Kylan Boswell had been projected to be a late second-round pick for months (although he did slip out of mocks just days before the big event). By the time Wednesday night concluded and the final pick was cast, however, Boswell remained undrafted.
And most of Thursday saw Illini fans eagerly awaiting Boswell’s new destination – even after fellow graduate Ben Humrichous found his home (on an Exhibit-10 Contract with the Brooklyn Nets).
Finally, on Thursday evening, Boswell put pen to paper, signing a two-way contract with the Charlotte Hornets. With a two-way deal, Boswell will have the opportunity to suit up for both the Hornets’ G-League squad – the Greensboro Swarm – or for the actual NBA squad.
From Champaign to Charlotte.
— Illinois Men's Basketball (@IlliniMBB) June 25, 2026
Kylan signs a two-way contract with the Hornets. pic.twitter.com/n3ODtKBqb9
Notably, he won’t have to bank on an exceptional NBA Summer League showing to cement himself with the organization (as many undrafted free agents who sign Exhibit-10 Contracts often do).
What are the Charlotte Hornets getting in Kylan Boswell?
It sounds corny. Every head coach says it about a player for whom the whole is greater than the sum of his parts: “He’s a winner.” But for Boswell, the characterization rings true. He played in the NCAA Tournament in all four of his college seasons, and he put a bow on the experience with a Final Four berth in 2026.
And it wasn’t a coincidence. Need a lead guard? Boswell can be the guy. What about a secondary playmaker? He can do that, too. And let’s not forget: The 6-foot-2 Boswell would even play in the dunker spot for the Illini at times. On occasion, he would toggle between all three spots in the same game.
Boswell was willing to embrace any role Illini coach Brad Underwood and his staff asked of him – and he was quite effective in each. With his diverse skill set, wearing multiple hats suited him especially well – and may even be what allows him to stick in the pros.
Boswell is a competent three-point shooter – off the catch or the bounce – and can use his tight handle, quick burst and strong frame to attack the basket. Around the basket, he plays well off two feet, is quite patient and can bounce any defender.
And he doesn’t just create for himself. Boswell can draw multiple defenders and kick to an open teammate or drop it off to a big at the rim. He’s also more than willing to make the simple extra pass.
Offensively, he will settle on questionable long-distance jumpers once in a while, but aside from that, Boswell consistently makes the right play. The only question on that end: Why did his three-point efficiency tank during his time in Champaign?
He shot a sterling 38.2 percent from beyond the arc in two seasons at Arizona before slipping to 27.2 percent in two seasons at Illinois. Had that number held throughout his four college seasons, Boswell would have been a surefire NBA draft pick.
Defensively, Boswell may be even better. He is the full package on that end: He possesses that aforementioned rock-solid frame, lightning-quick hands, excellent length, top-notch lateral agility, a superb hoops IQ and, most importantly, a defensive ego – in the most complimentary sense. Boswell has that stubborn you-aren’t-getting-a-bucket-on-me mindset that separates the best defenders from the rest.
There are players who have Boswell’s individual traits – but not all blended together. And his otherworldly strength is his hidden superpower. He can root out interior-oriented players (he was Illinois’ answer to Texas Tech's 6-foot-9 JT Toppin last season) or stonewall a guard attacking the rim.
Boswell also has that unique ability to read an opponent’s game like a book. He can seemingly predict every dribble, and he picks his spots – when to truly ramp up the pressure on given possessions and even within possessions – at a startlingly effective rate.
Put concisely: In Boswell, the Hornets are getting a secondary playmaker and downhill threat with shooting upside, not to mention a tremendously instinctive and driven defender – and, yes, above all else, a winner.
Published 14 seconds ago
JACKSON LANGENDORFPrimarily covers Illinois football and basketball, and Kansas basketball, with an emphasis on analysis, features and recruiting. Langendorf, a third-generation University of Illinois alum, has been watching Illini basketball and football for as long as he can remember. An advertising student and journalism devotee, he has been writing for On SI since October 2024. He can be followed and reached on X @jglangendorf.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
