History of the Charlotte Hornets (Charlotte Franchise Only)

The Charlotte Hornets are one of the NBA's most beloved franchises, known for their passionate fan base, iconic teal-and-purple colors, and exciting brand of basketball. Since joining the NBA as an expansion team in 1988, the Hornets have experienced memorable highs, difficult transitions, and a celebrated return to their original identity. This history focuses exclusively on the Charlotte franchise, including the original Hornets (1988–2002), the Charlotte Bobcats (2004–2014), and the restored Hornets identity beginning in 2014. It does not include the history of the New Orleans franchise.

NBA Basketball Comes to Charlotte

During the 1980s, Charlotte emerged as one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. Civic leaders sought to bring major league sports to the region, and in 1987, the NBA awarded Charlotte one of four expansion franchises alongside Miami, Orlando, and Minnesota.

Businessman George Shinn led the ownership group that secured the franchise.

The Hornets officially began play during the 1988–89 NBA season, playing home games at the Charlotte Coliseum, then one of the largest basketball arenas in the country.

Although the expansion team won only 20 games in its inaugural season, fan support was immediate. The Hornets regularly sold out games and quickly became one of the NBA's attendance leaders.

Building Through the Draft

Charlotte began assembling a talented young roster through the NBA Draft.

The franchise's first-ever draft pick was Rex Chapman, selected eighth overall in 1988.

Over the next several years, the Hornets added several future stars, including:

• Dell Curry
• Muggsy Bogues
• Larry Johnson
• Alonzo Mourning
• Kendall Gill

The team became one of the NBA's most entertaining young clubs.

Larry Johnson Changes the Franchise

Charlotte selected Larry Johnson with the first overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft.

Johnson immediately transformed the franchise.

Nicknamed "Grandmama" because of his famous advertising campaign, Johnson won the 1992 NBA Rookie of the Year Award after averaging more than 19 points and 11 rebounds per game.

Together with:

• Alonzo Mourning
• Muggsy Bogues
• Dell Curry

Johnson helped establish the Hornets as a rising Eastern Conference contender.

First Playoff Success

The 1992–93 season marked a breakthrough.

Charlotte finished 44–38, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time.

The Hornets defeated the Boston Celtics in the opening round after Alonzo Mourning made a memorable game-winning shot in Game 4.

Although Charlotte lost to the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the franchise had officially arrived.

Mourning and Johnson Era

Throughout the early 1990s, Charlotte became one of the NBA's most exciting teams.

Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning formed one of the league's best young frontcourts.

Point guard Muggsy Bogues, the shortest player in NBA history at 5-foot-3, became one of basketball's most popular players because of his remarkable quickness and passing ability.

Meanwhile, Dell Curry developed into one of the NBA's premier sixth men and long-range shooters.

Despite their talent, contract disputes and roster changes eventually ended the Johnson-Mourning partnership.

Mourning was traded to the Miami Heat in 1995, while Johnson was dealt to the New York Knicks in 1996.

Glen Rice Leads the Hornets

Following the departure of Johnson and Mourning, Glen Rice became Charlotte's offensive leader.

Rice enjoyed the best years of his career with the Hornets, earning multiple All-Star selections.

In 1997, he won the NBA All-Star Game MVP Award after scoring a record 20 points in one quarter.

Rice helped keep Charlotte among the Eastern Conference playoff contenders.

A Consistent Playoff Team

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Hornets remained one of the Eastern Conference's most consistent teams.

Key players included:

• Glen Rice
• Vlade Divac
• Anthony Mason
• Eddie Jones
• David Wesley
• Jamal Mashburn
• Baron Davis
• P.J. Brown

Charlotte regularly won between 45 and 54 games and became known for unselfish basketball and outstanding team defense.

Ownership Issues and Relocation

Despite success on the court, the franchise struggled with declining attendance due to ownership controversies and disputes over a new arena.

Following the 2001–02 season, Charlotte temporarily lost its NBA franchise.

For two years, the city was without an NBA team.

The Bobcats Restore NBA Basketball

On December 18, 2002, the NBA awarded Charlotte a new expansion franchise that began play in 2004 as the Charlotte Bobcats.

Although the Bobcats experienced growing pains, they restored NBA basketball to the city.

Notable players during the Bobcats era included:

• Gerald Wallace
• Emeka Okafor
• Raymond Felton
• Stephen Jackson
• Boris Diaw
• Kemba Walker

Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown led the Bobcats to their first playoff appearance in 2010.

In 2010, NBA legend Michael Jordan became the franchise's majority owner.

Reclaiming the Hornets Identity

In 2013, the New Orleans NBA franchise adopted the Pelicans nickname.

This allowed Charlotte to reclaim its original basketball identity.

On May 20, 2014, the NBA officially approved Charlotte's request to rename the Bobcats as the Charlotte Hornets beginning with the 2014–15 season.

The league also restored all Charlotte basketball records from 1988–2002 to the Charlotte franchise.

As a result, the original Hornets and the Bobcats became one continuous franchise history.

The Kemba Walker Era

The restored Hornets were built around All-Star point guard Kemba Walker.

Walker became Charlotte's all-time leading scorer while earning four NBA All-Star selections.

Other key contributors included:

• Nicolas Batum
• Marvin Williams
• Cody Zeller
• Jeremy Lamb

Charlotte returned to the playoffs in 2016, pushing the Miami Heat to seven games before being eliminated.

A New Generation

After Walker departed in free agency in 2019, Charlotte entered another rebuilding phase.

The franchise drafted LaMelo Ball with the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Ball won the 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year Award, bringing renewed excitement to the franchise.

Young players helping shape the future include:

• LaMelo Ball
• Miles Bridges
• Brandon Miller
• Mark Williams

Under ownership led by Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin, Charlotte continues working toward sustained playoff success.

Home Arenas

Charlotte Hornets Timeline

Franchise Greats

• Kemba Walker
• Larry Johnson
• Alonzo Mourning
• Dell Curry
• Muggsy Bogues
• Glen Rice
• Baron Davis
• Gerald Wallace
• Emeka Okafor
• LaMelo Ball
• Miles Bridges
• Brandon Miller

Notable Coaches

• Allan Bristow
• Dave Cowens
• Paul Silas
• Bernie Bickerstaff
• Larry Brown
• Steve Clifford
• James Borrego
• Charles Lee

Legacy

The Charlotte Hornets have experienced one of the most unique histories in professional sports. After debuting as an expansion franchise in 1988, the team quickly became one of the NBA's most popular organizations thanks to its electrifying players, distinctive branding, and devoted fan base.

Although Charlotte temporarily lost its NBA franchise in 2002, the city regained an NBA team through the Bobcats in 2004 and reclaimed the cherished Hornets name in 2014. Today, the NBA recognizes the original Hornets and the Bobcats as one continuous Charlotte franchise.

With a promising young core, committed ownership, and one of the league's most recognizable identities, the Hornets continue pursuing their first NBA championship while honoring Charlotte's rich basketball tradition.