GREENSBORO, N.C. — The Greensboro Swarm are getting bigger and tougher around the rim with their latest draft pick.

The Charlotte Hornets’ G League affiliate selected 7-foot center Olisa Akonobi with the 23rd overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NBA G League Draft.

The Swarm weren’t done making moves. Greensboro traded the draft rights to guard Ethan Taylor, the No. 9 overall pick, in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick from the Windy City Bulls and a 2026 second-round pick from the Osceola Magic.

Akonobi, 25, played last season for Astros de Jalisco in Mexico’s LNPB, averaging 4.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 14 games. He also had a brief stint with the South Bay Lakers, posting two points, four rebounds and a block in his lone appearance.

Before that, the Nigerian

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