7 Greatest Charlotte Hornets Players Of All Time

NBA fans occasionally overlook the Charlotte Hornets. Especially as the Charlotte Hornets odds of winning are considered quite low.  This is due to the Hornets never being in the NBA Finals or the Eastern Conference Finals, let alone winning an NBA championship. Having said that, the team’s past players have had some successful seasons for the organization.

The Hornets are still looking for that first group of players who can launch them to new heights. Although there have been brief periods of success, fans have been waiting a very long time. Unfortunately, it has become difficult to recall some of the best players due to the lack of winning. 

Here’s where we may be some assistance by telling you, the top 7 greatest Charlotte Hornets players of all time.

1. Kemba Walker (2011-2019)

With the squad, Kemba Walker holds numerous records. Walker holds the record for playing time, field goals made, field goals attempted, free throws made, turnovers made, and points scored overall. 

With 12,009 career points with the Hornets, he is the first player in team history to have amassed more than 10,000 points with the team. Walker is third in career steals and second in assists. 

In terms of advanced statistics, Walker ranks first in both total and offensive win shares and second in defensive win shares. 

2. Glen Rice (1995-1998)

After spending six years in Miami, Rice joined the Hornets, where his career really took off. 

Throughout his three seasons, Rice made the All-Star squad each year, including the year he won All-Star MVP. Rice was constantly on the court, since he was essential to the team’s success. Rice is the only player in the franchise’s history to play an average of more than 40 minutes per game.

With 5,651 points in three seasons, he is fifth in the all-time scoring standings.

3. Gerald Wallace (2004-2011)

Gerald Wallace was a regular face in the NBA playoffs. In 2005–06, Wallace had a productive season, leading the league with 2.5 steals per game. He finished the 2010 season with 10.0 rebounds, 18.2 points,1.5 steals, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game, earning a spot on the All-Star squad. Moreover, he was selected to the First Team of the All-Defense.

Wallace left a significant enough legacy to rank in multiple records. He is sixth in lifetime games played and fourth in minutes played. He holds the franchise record for defensive rebounds (2,623) and ranks second in career steals.

4. Emeka Okafor (2004-2009)

Okafor won Rookie of the Year in 2004 after being selected with the No. 2 overall choice in the NBA Draft. He did this by averaging 10.9 rebounds,15.1 points, and 1.7 blocks per game. When playing for the Hornets, Okafor averaged a double-double each of his five seasons there. 

Okafor’s rebounds and defensive dominance were his calling cards. Yet, he also ranks in the top 10 in terms of minutes played, field goals made, and points scored.

5. Larry Johnson (1991-1996)

Johnson made a name for himself by earning Rookie of the Year before developing into a two-time All-Star for the squad. He holds many franchise records that rank in the top 10 over the course of his five seasons. This includes finishing second in overall rebounds, third in field goals, and fifth in minutes played. With 1,186 offensive rebounds, Johnson owns the franchise record. 

His finest overall campaign was 1992–1993 when he averaged 10.5 rebounds and 22.1 points and was chosen for the NBA Second Team.

6. Alonzo Mourning (1992-1995)

Mourning achieved All-Star status during two of the three seasons with the Hornets. He continues to rank in the top 10 in three-point field goals, free throws made, offensive rebounds, and minutes. His 3.2 blocks per game continue to be a franchise record, and he continues to possess the second-best player efficiency rating in the league. 

Once more, if he had remained with the team for a long time, Mourning might have been the best Hornet player ever.

7. Muggsy Bogues (1988-1997)

Bogues  was generally an underestimated player in the league at the time. He set records for both the number of assists and thefts throughout the course of ten seasons. 

Bogues had a run of six straight seasons with at least 8.0 assists per game. In addition, he has played in the second-most games and minutes in franchise history. 

Conclusion 

The Charlotte Hornets are an underrated team, due to their inconsistent success. While they may not have reached many finals or championship games, they have still produced some amazing players. 

All the players we have mentioned above, hold incredible records for the team, and helped the Hornet’s have the success they have had. While the team is still trying to find a strategy that works well for them, their fans still continue to support and hope that one day they will reach a final.

We hope this article has been interesting. Now you know the 7 greatest Charlotte Hornet players of all time.