The bright lights, sharp whistles and constant bench chatter of Summer League can make every possession feel like an audition. Kylan Boswell looked comfortable under that pressure.
Charlotte spent much of Wednesday night chasing Milwaukee during a 110 to 91 loss in Las Vegas, but Boswell gave the Hornets something worth studying. Making his 1st start, the rookie guard scored 11 points on 4 of 7 shooting in only 15 minutes. He connected on 3 of his 5 attempts from deep and grabbed 7 rebounds.
The score had already tilted heavily toward Milwaukee by the closing minutes. Boswell still made his opportunity count. He played within the offense, stepped confidently into open shots and battled taller players around the rim.
Joining a starting group that included Tidjane Salaun and Michael Ajayi placed more responsibility on his shoulders. Boswell did not rush or force the action. After beginning Summer League on the bench, he finally received a longer look and showed why Charlotte signed him to a two way contract.
Boswell Turned Limited Minutes Into Real Production
Boswell never treated the game like a personal scoring audition. He took the shots that came to him and kept the ball moving when Milwaukee closed space.
One of his most important moments came early in the 2nd quarter. Latrell Wrightsell Jr. connected from deep before Boswell followed with another 3 pointer, trimming Milwaukee’s lead to 4 with 8:05 remaining in the half. The shot came within the flow of the offense. No hesitation. No unnecessary dribble. Just a clean read and a confident release.
His work on the glass stood out even more.
Boswell attacked missed shots instead of drifting toward the opposite end. That effort helped him finish behind only Hannes Steinbach among all players in rebounds. For a guard listed at 6 feet 2 inches, collecting 7 boards in 15 minutes required anticipation, strength and a willingness to absorb contact.
Crashing the glass also gave Charlotte a chance to run before Milwaukee could organize its defense. Those are the plays that can earn a young guard the trust of a coaching staff, even when his shot is not falling.
Boswell has improved with every appearance. He opened Summer League with a scoreless 14 minute performance. In his next game, he delivered 8 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds while making all 3 of his field goal attempts. Another controlled outing followed before Charlotte placed him in the starting lineup.
He is not pushing for a place in the Hornets’ opening night lineup yet. Still, the early nerves appear to be fading.
His College Experience Prepared Him For The Opportunity
Boswell arrived in Charlotte with more experience than the average undrafted guard.
He spent his first 2 college seasons at Arizona and reached the NCAA Tournament in both years. The Champaign native then returned home and played his final 2 seasons at Illinois. He started 34 games as a junior and all 30 of his appearances during his senior season.
Boswell averaged 12.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists during the 2025 to 2026 campaign. He shot 44.4 percent from the field, ranked 2nd on Illinois in assists and steals, and earned Big Ten All Defensive Team recognition.
Illinois also reached the 2026 Final Four, ending a 21 year absence from the national semifinals. By the time Boswell arrived in Las Vegas, he had already played through physical conference games, hostile road environments and high pressure tournament possessions.
That experience appeared against Milwaukee. Boswell did not panic when the Hornets fell behind. He continued defending, rebounding and finding useful spots within the offense.
It is easy to see what attracted Charlotte. He has the strength to hold his ground against bigger guards and does not need the ball on every possession. Boswell can push the pace after a rebound, defend at the point of attack and function within a structured system.
His shooting will determine how far that skill set carries him. Boswell made 30.7 percent of his 3 point attempts during his senior season, which makes his 3 of 5 showing against Milwaukee particularly encouraging. Charlotte now needs to see whether that touch can hold across a larger sample.
Charlotte’s Collapse Sharpened The Contrast
The Hornets briefly threatened to erase the deficit during the 3rd quarter.
Ajayi scored on a putback dunk, while Steinbach converted inside as Charlotte produced a 10 to 0 run. The Hornets eventually pulled within 63 to 62 with 3:43 remaining in the period.
Milwaukee answered immediately.
The Bucks closed the quarter with a 16 to 0 run and carried a 79 to 64 lead into the 4th. Nate Ament scored 23 points, while 8 Milwaukee players finished in double figures. Steinbach led Charlotte with 27 points and 15 rebounds.
The collapse frustrated supporters who expected more from a lineup containing several players with previous professional or Summer League experience.
“It’s hard to watch. Major dropoff compared to last summer,” one frustrated fan wrote on X.
Most of the criticism centered on the wider roster. Expectations are naturally higher for recent draft picks such as Salaun, who has already spent time around Charlotte’s NBA rotation.
Boswell entered the night from a different position. He went undrafted and arrived without a guaranteed role. His assignment was clear. Make smart decisions, defend with energy and convert the opportunities that came his way.
He did all 3.
Every Minute Will Have To Be Earned
Charlotte’s backcourt offers little room for error. Boswell will have to fight for every practice repetition, every G League assignment and every NBA minute.
His most likely path begins with regular developmental minutes. That environment should give him time to tighten his handle, adjust to faster professional guards and build confidence as a shooter. The two way contract keeps the NBA door open, but Boswell must give the Hornets a reason to use it.
His case will rest on repeatable habits. Defend without fouling. Protect the ball. Rebound outside his position. Punish defenders who leave him open.
Boswell did not change the result against Milwaukee. He did something more realistic for a player fighting from the bottom of the roster. He put useful minutes on film and gave Charlotte a reason to keep watching.
For an undrafted guard in July, that is where the climb begins.
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FAQs
How many points did Kylan Boswell score in his first Summer League start?
Boswell scored 11 points in 15 minutes during Charlotte’s 110–91 loss to Milwaukee.
How well did Kylan Boswell shoot against Milwaukee?
He shot 4 of 7 from the field and made 3 of his 5 three-point attempts.
How many rebounds did Kylan Boswell collect?
Boswell grabbed seven rebounds, finishing behind only Hannes Steinbach among players in the game.
What type of contract does Kylan Boswell have with Charlotte?
Charlotte signed Boswell to a two-way contract after he went undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft.
What could help Kylan Boswell earn NBA minutes?
His defense, rebounding, decision-making and spot-up shooting give him a realistic path to developmental minutes.
