The NBA Draft is just eight weeks away, and that may stir up some mixed emotions for Charlotte Hornets fans. While some of Charlotte’s draft selections have gone on to have successful careers, others have not had such fortune. With the draft on the horizon, here is a look back at the Hornets’ history with their first-round draft picks, beginning with the franchise’s initial years.
1988 – Rex Chapman
In a perfect world, perhaps the Hornets would have selected Rod Strickland or Dan Majerle with the 8th Overall pick in the 1988 NBA Draft. Strickland and Majerle were both on the board when Charlotte made Rex Chapman the first selection in franchise history. Chapman did have a fine rookie season, averaging 16.9 points a game and making the 1989 All-Rookie Team. Chapman would go on to play 12 seasons in the league but never garnered any other accolades.
1989 – J.R. Reid
Charlotte picked 5th Overall in the 1989 NBA Draft and selected the 6’9″ forward J.R. Reid from North Carolina. Reid did earn his way onto the 1990 All-Rookie Team as he averaged just over 11 points and eight rebounds per contest. In fact, the Hornets got much of the same from him over the next three seasons, but that is where Reid’s contributions plateaued. While Reid did spend 11 seasons in the NBA, he was never more than a journeyman. Nick Anderson, Mookie Blaylock, Tim Hardaway, Shawn Kemp, and Vlade Divac were all available when Reid was picked.
1990 – Kendall Gill
While most NBA fans hear the name Kendall Gill and think of the New Jersey Nets, Gill’s NBA career started in Charlotte when the Hornets selected him 5th Overall in 1990. Like Reid, Gill would average 11 points on 45% shooting in his first campaign, earning a spot on the 1991 All-Rookie Team. However, it was in Kendall’s sophomore season in which he shined the brightest, averaging 20 points. Gill would spend just four seasons in Charlotte, but the Hornets got back solid value with this selection.
1991 – Larry Johnson
The 1991 draft saw the Hornets select Larry Johnson with the first overall pick. Kenny Anderson and Dikembe Mutombo were also available, but the hype around Johnson coming out of UNLV made him the obvious choice. Johnson made the 1992 All-Rookie Team with averages of 19 points and 11 rebounds. Johnson’s endorsement deal with Converse would also help put a young Hornets franchise on the map, with his “Grandmama” character becoming iconic in Charlotte and beyond.
1992 – Alonzo Mourning
It was a foregone conclusion that Shaquille O’Neal was going to be selected with the first pick in the 1992 draft. That left the Charlotte Hornets with a decision to make, with Duke’s Christian Laettner and Georgetown’s Alonzo Mourning on the board. Ultimately, Mourning would land in Charlotte. While most of his accolades would come later with the Miami Heat, Mourning’s three seasons with the Hornets saw him make the 1993 All-Rookie team before being selected to the All-Star game in 1994 and 1995. Mourning was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in the class of 2014.