Flourishing Hornets guard making early claim for Sixth Man of the Year

As the NBA season unfolds, one player has been catching the spotlight early: Tre Mann.

After a standout preseason, the 23-year-old Charlotte Hornets guard is turning heads with his dynamic play and is already drawing attention as a possible Sixth Man of the Year contender.

Sporting an Allen Iverson-like look with a headband and baggy shorts, Mann brings both style and substance to the court.

His numbers back up the hype, as he’s averaging 16.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game, including a strong 40% shooting marl from three-point range on five attempts per contest.

Mann has been leading the league in bench scoring for much of the season and currently ranks third in bench points per game and third in total points off the bench (129).

Standing at 6-foot-3, he’s proven incredibly productive in limited minutes, impressing fans and analysts alike with his highlight-worthy isolation plays and impressive shot creation off the dribble.

Off-ball, Mann has also been effective, hitting 50% of his catch-and-shoot threes, further solidifying his status as a reliable scoring option for the Hornets.

On Oct. 30, Mann posted one of his best performances of the season, scoring 27 points in a 138-133 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He shot 52.6% from the field and sank four three-pointers in the game.

Other standout performances include a 24-point game against the Houston Rockets and a 23-point outing against the Boston Celtics, with the latter highlighting his ability to deliver against tough competition.

Yet, Mann’s impact isn’t limited to scoring alone. He’s also been effective as a playmaker, recording five or more assists in three games so far. His six-assist performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves stands out, even on a night when his scoring mellowed.

Despite a recent drop in form, when Mann has averaged just eight points per game and made only one three-pointer over a quiet week following his first meeting with the Celtics, his early-season performances have been impressive.

This strong start has already put him in early contention for the Sixth Man of the Year award. Should his performances ramp up again, and if he remains in a bench role, he could be a strong candidate by the season's end.

However, Mann faces stiff competition for the award, particularly from the likes of Boston's Payton Pritchard and Golden State’s Buddy Hield. Both players have had flying starts, each making significant contributions to teams near the top of their respective conferences.

As Mann continues to make his mark, his journey this season promises to be one to watch, both for Hornets fans and for those following the Sixth Man of the Year race.