“I feel my best when I’m free”: Tre Mann on his Hornets breakout, Kemba Walker's mentorship and thriving with LaMelo Ball (Exclusive)
Tre Mann’s emergence with the Charlotte Hornets has showcased his growth as a dynamic sixth man, bringing scoring, energy and defensive intensity off the bench. Averaging 19.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists in his first six games while shooting 46.7% from the floor and 44.4% from deep, Mann has quickly established himself as a critical element of Charlotte’s rotation.
Mann attributes his success to a supportive team environment, a fast-paced system and mentorship from coaches and teammates.
“I give all the credit to the coaching staff and my teammates, as well as the offense we run," Tre Mann told Sportskeeda in an exclusive interview. "It puts me in good positions to make plays, and when I'm in those positions, I know I have the confidence of my teammates and coaches to make the right plays. So, I just go out there and play."
Mann’s journey to the Hornets began with a trade before last season's trade deadline, which sent Gordon Hayward to Oklahoma City. During his 140 games with OKC, Mann averaged 8.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists, but his experience there was more impactful than just numbers.
Playing alongside playmakers such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Josh Giddey challenged Tre Mann to adapt his game and become more effective off the ball. As a natural scorer, it took some time to refine his game in other areas, but that experience has translated to development in his skill set.
“I learned to be more dynamic without the ball,” Mann said. “Growing up, I always played with the ball in my hands, but in OKC, I had to play more off-ball because of guys like Shai, J-Dub, and Josh.
"That helped me develop my all-around game, like making plays other than scoring, being ready to shoot on catch-and-shoots, and hunting those opportunities. Now, playing with guys like LaMelo and Brandon, I can still have an impact even without the ball.”
Mann is now reaping the benefits to improve as an off-the-catch player next to LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and the rest of Charlotte's playmakers. This shift has allowed him to excel as a reliable option within the offense, producing a highly efficient 1.250 points per possession (PPP) in spot-up situations and 1.5 PPP on catch-and-shoot attempts.
Knowing he'd need to be prepared for his role with the Hornets, Tre Mann's offseason preparation laid the groundwork for this impressive start to the season.
“Having a full offseason with a team where I knew I'd get an opportunity was huge,” Mann said. “I spent the offseason working on my game, and then I got to play pickup with everyone in the summer, showing them what I can do and staying consistent with it.
"So, when I get in the game, they know what to expect. I've been able to keep that same rhythm and energy I played with all summer.”
Thriving in Charlotte’s fast-paced system
Since being traded to the team, Tre Mann has been relied on to create for the Hornets, both as a scorer and passer, whether initiating a possession or getting the ball on the second side to attack out of pick-and-roll.
If a possession stagnates, he can break down a defender off the dribble in isolation. He's been trusted with a 27.2% usage rate, with 55.7% of his possessions occurring in pick-and-roll and another 9.2% in isolation.
Charlotte’s high-speed, read-and-react offense suits Mann’s instinctive play style, enabling him to make quick decisions without overthinking. After continuing to work on his game in the offseason, he's returned ready to hit the ground running and hasn't looked back — thriving in a system he feels free not to overthink.
“It complements a lot of our games,” Tre Mann said. “I think that’s why they chose this style—knowing the players we have. When you’re playing fast, you have less time to think and just go off reactions, reading the defense and your teammates. I feel like I play my best when I’m free and not overthinking things, so that fast pace really helps.”
The Hornets now have a reliable secondary threat to generate paint pressure with Mann's talent as a lane penetrator next to Ball. He's averaging 14.0 drives per game, which ranked 17th in the NBA entering Saturday's action. He's generated 8.2 points and 1.5 assists per game on drives, with the 10th highest assist percentage (10.7%) among all players averaging 12 or more drives per game.
Ball, who has averaged 30.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists, has been an integral part of the Hornets' success, and Tre Mann praised his leadership and being one of the league's best players:
“Melo’s the engine of our team. When he’s going, everybody else follows. He’s one of the best point guards in the NBA—super talented, always has been. But with the support he gets from us, I think it makes things easier for him. We know he’s our leader, and we’ve got his back.”
Tre Mann’s ability to adapt to this fast-paced system has maximized his scoring talent and athleticism while allowing him to provide a consistent offensive spark. At 23, he is just beginning to scratch the surface of what he can grow into during his career.
Supportive coaching and team environment
Under head coach Charles Lee, the Hornets have cultivated a positive environment that values personal and professional growth — motivating himself and the team to compete. Tre Mann described this atmosphere as essential to his strong start in Charlotte:
“Honestly, it’s been a lot of fun. We come in every day ready to work, and it’s great being around a group of guys who bring a lot of energy and passion for basketball and winning. They also care about us as people off the court, not just players. When you’re playing for coaches who care like that, it makes you want to play even harder.”
With Lee’s guidance, Mann believes Ball has embraced the challenge of becoming a two-way player, setting a strong example for the rest of the squad. Ball's emphasis on guarding and making winning plays sets a tone for the rest of the team.
“Coach Lee made it big to be a two-way player, and Melo’s taken on that challenge,” Tre Mann said. “He comes into practice every day with a focus on defense and making winning plays. When your best player has that mindset, you have a good chance to be really competitive.”
This environment has given Tre Mann confidence and trust in his game, enabling him to focus on his development and embrace his role on the court. This season, a key mentor for Mann has been franchise icon Kemba Walker, who joined the Hornets’ coaching staff as a player enhancement coach. Walker’s mentorship has been instrumental in Mann’s development.
“It’s great to have someone like that who’s been through it,” Mann added. “I try to pick his brain as much as I can, and he’s so open and welcoming. This summer, he even shared his workout routine from his Boston days, where we’d get up 500 shots after practice. Little things like that go a long way.”
Walker’s mentorship has encouraged Mann to focus on becoming a complete player, and his advice extends beyond shooting drills. As a fellow smaller guard, Walker's wisdom has helped Mann's approach to creating advantages. The two are even watching defensive film together.
“Kemba has his little tricks that he learned that he taught me,” Mann said.“We just watched film yesterday about things I didn’t do well defensively, and hearing it from him makes a difference.”
As Tre Mann continues to excel in his role, his development with the Hornets is about more than scoring. He's worked closely with Zach Peterson, the Hornets' assistant coach and director of player development, along with film study and feedback from the coaching staff. Mann added:
“Everyone on the coaching staff plays a part. They set our standards early in the summer, and since then, they’ve been on it. I watch film with my PD coach, ZP. Kemba has taught me some tricks, and Charles is hands-on with us too.
"We just watched film yesterday, going over things I didn’t do well defensively in the last game. Having that feedback from everyone helps a lot.”
A bright future in Charlotte
Tre Mann has embraced his role on defense, where his effort complements his offensive contributions. Josh Green and Cody Martin, often tasked with guarding the league’s top players, set a defensive standard that Mann and others strive to meet.
“Yeah, I think we all have that mindset of competing and wanting to win,” Tre Mann said.
“We know we have to play defense to win games. But guys who stand out with their energy are Josh and Cody. They’re asked to guard the best players every night, and they really set the tone by playing hard, picking up full court, and doing the little things. It’s not always loud, but we see it, and it gets us ready to back them up.”
Currently, in his development, Tre Mann is focused on being a complete player, emphasizing rebounding, boxing out and defense. He wants to do what it takes to help the Hornets win, further expanding his impact beyond scoring:
“My focus is just on staying consistent with my defense. I don’t want to be known as a player who only scores and takes a lot of shots. I want to be a complete player—someone who can play defense, rebound, box outnand do whatever it takes to win.”
Mann’s breakout season has given the Hornets a dependable threat off the bench, adding depth and balance to their lineup. His journey in Charlotte is about growing into a reliable, well-rounded contributor driven by a supportive team, influential mentors and an adaptable system.
With this foundation, Tre Mann is positioned to make a lasting impact in Charlotte as he pursues a future as a versatile, impactful player.