Jan 10, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard James Bouknight (2) warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

MEXICO CITY - The Capitanes have become a popular landing spot over the years for veteran players looking to find their way back into the NBA or to another big payday abroad, with names like Skal Labissiere, Kenneth Faried, Jahlil Okafor, and Shabazz Napier coming to mind. And for the 2025-26 G League season, that player is former Charlotte Hornets lottery pick James Bouknight.

Bouknight has been no stranger to run-ins with the law, having been arrested in college for leaving the scene of an accident, and picked up a DWI while playing for the Hornets as well. His injury history and struggles to take on a larger role offensively with the Hornets were likely the main reasons the Hornets did not pick up his fourth-year option, leading to the UConn alum falling out of the NBA after not sticking with the Portland Trail Blazers after Charlotte. But his history of run-ins with police did not do him any favors, either. Since then, Bouknight has kept his nose out of trouble, but his reputation preceded him to Mexico City when the former No. 11 pick elected to sign with the Capitanes this summer.

Aware of that dynamic, Capitanes head coach Vitor Galvani shared his thoughts on how the former Husky standout has fit into his new home after the Caps' home-opening win vs. the Oklahoma City Blue on Nov. 16. "James is a natural scorer," said Galvani (our translation from the original Spanish). "He can score however he wants."

"He's had some challenges in his career since he came to the NBA as the 11th overall pick in the draft," he continued. "And I've had some personal challenges, and it's really hard to put yourself in his shoes because it's so difficult. We know what happened with his personal issues, and I shouldn't talk about them, but he's a guy with a huge heart,"

Galvani recalled a recent road contest in which Bouknight did not take the court, and then played in Mexico City to great fanfare. "He was like, 'They love me, they love me, they love me, they love me, they love me,'" remembered the Capitanes coach of the 10,000-strong crowd at the team's home opener cheering on the Connecticut standout.

For now, it remains unclear whether Bouknight has finally put those challenges mentioned by his coach behind him. But between the 12 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block he put up and the embrace he received by the Capitanes faithfully, right now, it's looking like the biggest challenge in front of the 6-foot-5 wing right now is finding his shot with his new ball club, which is exactly the sort of environment Bouknight should be able to thrive in.

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This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Coach Vitor Galvani on James Bouknight fit with Mexico City Capitanes

Reporting by Justin Quinn, Rookie Wire / Rookie Wire

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