Who are the Ten Greatest Charlotte Hornets of All-Time?

By John Griebel | Dec 17, 2016

Feb 14, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Team Curry legend Dell Curry shoots the basketball during the 2015 NBA All Star Shooting Stars competition at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 21, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; The Charlotte Bobcats unveil their new branding logo as the Charlotte Hornets for the 2014 season at halftime during the game against the Utah Jazz at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

10.) Emeka Okafor

If we played a word association game before I started this piece, and you said “Emeka Okafor,” my reply might have been “disappointment.” The Hornets took Okafor second overall in 2004. Four future All-Stars were taken later in the first round, Andre Iguodala probably the most impactful among them. When measured against the expectations of a second overall pick, it may be true that Okafor’s career was a bit disappointing.

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We often expect top two picks to be a franchise cornerstone for a decade or more, carrying the team to playoff hardware while accumulating plenty of accolades for themselves as well. While Okafor never reached the peak that many hoped for, he played 9 seasons in the NBA which doesn’t happen by accident no matter what position a player was drafted.

Okafor’s best years came in Charlotte, where he spent his first five seasons. During his rookie campaign, Okafor put up 15.1 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, earning Rookie of the Year honors. Rebounding and consistency would continue to be Okafor’s hallmark throughout his time as a Bobcat.

He would go on to grab the most rebounds in franchise history and block the second most shots. Okafor also holds records for most 10-plus rebound games (199), and double-doubles (179) as a Bobcat/Hornet (Horncats?). In a December 29, 2006, game against the Lakers, Okafor pulled down 25 rebounds, a single game record that still stands today.

Okafor’s career was mostly unremarkable both from an individual and team standpoint, but he owns a surprising amount of the franchise’s history. Emeka certainly isn’t among the best ten players to wear a Horncats uniform, but he is one of the ten best Hornets of all time.