There’s a first time for everything. For Charlotte Hornets first-round draft pick Tidjane Salaun, Thursday night was the first time he threw a baseball – and it happened to be in front of a Queen City crowd.

Salaun and second-round pick KJ Simpson threw the opening throws in the Charlotte Knights’ game against the Toledo Mud Hens (Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers), which featured retro-style Hornets uniforms.

After signing autographs for fans, Simpson and Saluan took the field with first-time nerves, but the No. 6 pick was confident he could throw a strike. Salaun, who had never seen baseball and never thrown one, did what he set out to do this season in purple and teal — deliver in style.

“Never,” Salaun said of throwing a baseball. “But let’s just say I knew what to do.”

Simpson, who played baseball in his youth, was a second pitcher and he knows LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and his Hornets teammates will out-pitch him for the result at practice on Friday.

“Mine wasn’t that good,” Simpson said, bouncing his throw to the catcher. “I think I’ve used up my good throws before, but I know I’ll hear that from everyone at practice. But it was a good experience. It was great to be out there with (Salaun). There was some cheering when we pitched. Everyone was nice and supportive of us in the upcoming season.”

From France to Charlotte

Salaun, one of three French-born players selected among the top six picks of the 2024 NBA Draft, just returned to Charlotte from an Olympic experience in Paris. Although he didn’t play on the French national team that won a silver medal, Salaun was on the court in Lille.

Janelle Salaun, Tidjane’s sister, has represented the French national team since 2018 and won silver in a narrow loss to the USA. Tidjane came to Paris with his family for the games and hopes to have frequent visitors from the USA in the upcoming NBA season.

“It was cool. I was able to see my sister during the Olympics,” Saluan told the Observer. “I saw everyone, my grandmother, aunts, my friends and everyone.”

With the release of the NBA schedule on Thursday, the Charlotte Hornets’ first season under Charles Lee and Salaun’s debut are just over two months away. Wearing No. 31 and inspired by his sister, Salaun is excited to get back on the court after a Summer League experience in Vegas.

“I can’t wait,” Salaun said of his upcoming rookie season. “It’s going to be fun. I can’t wait for my first game.”