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Ranking the Charlotte Hornets’ top-5 centers of All-Time

By Giovanni Spillman

Charlotte HornetsAl Jefferson and Hassan Whiteside.Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
Charlotte HornetsAl Jefferson and Hassan Whiteside.Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Charlotte Hornets, Vlade Divac
Charlotte Hornets Vlade Divac Copyright 1998 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Charlotte Hornets have had a lot of great big men come through the franchise, and many of them have dominated for the team. 

While the Charlotte Hornets‘ franchise is currently known for their superstar point guard Kemba Walker, they are also well-known for having some dominant centers in years past. Many of these big men are well known and have provided much-needed scoring for the team in the past.

Currently, the Hornets wish they could get some productive scoring numbers at the five-spot. The 2018-19 starter, Cody Zeller, is averaging 9.1 points and six rebounds per game.

The numbers that Cody is averaging is not ideal for a center in the NBA, but the Hornets have been looking to implement a more pace-and-space type of offense. Cody Zeller is just not living up to the former legends who have played in the Charlotte front-court.

This article will rank those who have played center for the Charlotte Hornets or Bobcats. This list was made based on how the player performed while being with the team.

5. Vlade Divac (Hornets ’96-’98)

Mid-way through his career,  Vlade Divac was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Charlotte Hornets. Divac was part of a trade, in which current Hornets General Manager Mitch Kupchak traded for Kobe Bryant.

As a Hornets, Divac averaged 11.7 points and 8.6 rebounds per game through two seasons. The numbers he put up were decent as a Hornet; not to mention he also averaged 1.9 blocks per game!

As a defensive force in the middle for the Hornets, he provided much-needed defense at the five spot; this is something the Hornets have lacked. He also added another 1.3 steals per game during his time in Charlotte as well.

Career All-Time Team Rankings:

  • #7 All-Time in Blocks with 274
  • #1 All-Time in Defensive Box Plus/Minus with 3.9