When Coby White joined the Charlotte Hornets midway through the 2025-26 season, the team was pretty different. They still had LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges serving as the leaders and longest-tenured players.

Now that they have both been traded away, the Hornets have pivoted into a new era. The cornerstones for this team are Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel, but it seems that White has taken it upon himself to become one of the team's leaders.

Coby White has embraced a leadership role for the Hornets

White was drafted back in 2019, so he will be entering his eighth NBA season. This makes him one of the veterans for this Hornets team alongside the likes of Dennis Schroder and Pat Connaughton.

Considering he has been quite a productive player over his seven years with the Chicago Bulls, White has earned the right to serve as a leader for a mostly young team. In fact, his Hornets teammates appreciate how much he has stepped up over the past few months.

MORE: Coby White reveals how he and the Hornets have bonded in the 2026 offseason

One of the players who have benefited from having White around is incoming second-year player Liam McNeely. He has credited White for being one of the proven leaders on the Hornets roster.

"Coby White has been super vocal. I'd say he was a standout for the vocalness in training camp. We did an obstacle course with the Citadel cadets, and he was leading his team. It was impressive," McNeely said after a Hornets practice.

As the season progresses, White will have a bigger role not only in the rotation, but in the locker room. He has definitely earned his role, and he will continue to set a good example for the younger players on the roster as one of head coach Charles Lee's most trusted figures.

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