Swarm and Sting
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Charlotte Hornets: 15 greatest draft picks in franchise history

By Jerry Stephens

Charlotte Hornets 2017 NBA Draft (Photo by Ashlee Espinal/NBAE via Getty Images)
Charlotte Hornets 2017 NBA Draft (Photo by Ashlee Espinal/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – 1994: Alonzo Mourning #33 of the Charlotte Hornets is introduced circa 1994 at the Charlotte Coliseum 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 1994 NBAE (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – 1994: Alonzo Mourning #33 of the Charlotte Hornets is introduced circa 1994 at the Charlotte Coliseum 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 1994 NBAE (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Charlotte drafted Alonzo Mourning with the second overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. He was taken one pick after Shaquille O’Neal. Mourning only spent three years of his 15-year NBA career with the Hornets, but he made his short time in the Queen City memorable.

During his three years in the Queen City, ‘Zo averaged 21.3 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game in 215 appearances. The team made the playoffs in two of his three seasons, made it to the Eastern Conference Semifinals once and had the first 50-win season in team history. He helped carry Charlotte when he was in his early 20s.

Although he only played three seasons with the Hornets, Mourning is 10th in field goals made, fourth in free throws made, fourth in offensive rebounds, seventh in defensive rebounds, fifth in total rebounds and first in blocked shots. He was a two-time All-Star in Charlotte and the All-Rookie First Team in 1992-93.

Zo was traded to the Miami Heat before the start of the 1995-96 season because of a problem between Mourning and Larry Johnson. Mourning now says that he would’ve taken less money to stay in Charlotte and never wanted to leave the Queen City. Then-owner George Shin claims that he offered Alonzo more money than LJ and any other NBA player at that time to stay with the team. We’ll never know exactly what happened behind closed doors but ‘Zo went on to win an NBA Title in Miami and make it to the Hall of Fame as a member of the Heat.