Swarm and Sting
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Ranking Charlotte Hornets players by their college careers

By Chase Pletcher

CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 11: The Charlotte Hornets huddle before the game against the Toronto Raptors on February 11, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 11: The Charlotte Hornets huddle before the game against the Toronto Raptors on February 11, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 04: Jeremy Lamb #3 and Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies look on against the Butler Bulldogs during the National Championship Game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament at Reliant Stadium on April 4, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 04: Jeremy Lamb #3 and Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies look on against the Butler Bulldogs during the National Championship Game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament at Reliant Stadium on April 4, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

2. Frank Kaminsky– Wisconsin

Stats: 10.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG

No matter what Frank does in the NBA, he will always be remembered for his college days. Don’t let those stats fool you. Once Frank got to his Junior year he became an entirely new player.

Despite being named to the All-Region tournament team junior year, he stepped it up more senior year. In conference play, he averaged 20 PPG and 8 RPG. He was named Big 10 player of the year and won the Wooden Award, the only Hornet to do so.

It was in the NCAA tournament that season where he truly became a legend. The Kentucky Wildcats were 38-0 going into their Final 4 match up with Frank’s Badgers. In that game Frank hit SIX three’s and finished with 20 points and 11 boards, making Kentucky undefeated no more.  

A few weeks ago Frank even had his jersey hung up in the rafters. The only thing missing? A national championship that he lost to Duke.

1. Kemba Walker- UCONN

Stats: 16.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 4.1 APG

Is this actually surprising to anyone?  Of course, our fearless captain tops this list. His UCONN Huskies will forever be enshrined in the history books with the run they had.

Back when the Big East had 16 teams, only the top 8 seeds got at least one bye in the conference tournament. UCONN was the 9 seed. If they wanted to win their conference, they were going to have to win 5 games in 5 days.  

That’s exactly what they did. Kemba averaged 26, 6, and 4 in those games, but his most memorable moment came in the quarterfinals. Facing off against top-seeded Pitt with the game ticking down tied 74-74, Cardiac Kemba was born.

Poor Gary McGhee.  Kemba jabbed right, his ankles were broken. Kemba jabbed left and his ankles broke again. Then he hit is famous stepback jump shot for the game-winner. UCONN went on the win the conference tournament, then six more to take home the National Championship.  

Kemba had two 30+ point games and averaged 24, 6, and 6 overall in the tournament. He also is our only Hornet to be named Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA Tournament. Of my lifetime at least, that was the greatest NCAA Tournament run ever.

Next: How Charlotte should handle the rest of the season

All NBA teams have great college players (obviously), but the some of these Hornets guys were legends. I wish that would translate to more on-court success for the team, but at this time of year, it’s nice to look back on great memories of those guys from years ago.

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