Darling makes NBA’S Bobcats

The unthinkable has become reality as Bedford's Nate Darling has earned a spot on an NBA roster.

The 22-year-old Darling suited up for the Charlotte Hornets for their 2020-21 season opener on the road against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. No Nova Scotian has ever appeared in an NBA regular season game.

The six-foot-five sharpshooter, who was undrafted, signed a two-way contract with the Hornets and was in

competition at pre-season camp with six other guards for a spot on the team's opening-day roster.

A two-way deal means he could split the season either in Charlotte or with the team's G League affiliate in nearby Greensboro, N.C.

Darling, one of 20 Canadians to start the 2020-21 NBA season, has a Canadian connection in Charlotte. Former Toronto Raptors and Canadian national team head coach Jay Triano is the lead assistant for the Hornets.

One of college's top shooters, Darling had declared himself for the 2020 NBA draft in August after a breakout NCAA Division 1 season at the University of Delaware in 2019-20. He averaged 21 points per game and fired nearly 40 per cent from threepoint range. He set a school record with 107 three-pointers and his 672 points were seven shy of the Fightin' Blue Hens' record.

Darling appeared in two pre-season games with Charlotte — both against the Raptors — and combined for nearly 13 minutes and had three assists and two rebounds. He didn't register a point. He didn't play in the Hornets' final two pre-season games.

Nate Darling