Swarm and Sting
Fansided

Top 5 Centers in Charlotte Hornets history

By Evan Birchmore

NEW YORK - CIRCA 1992: Alonzo Mourning #33 of the Charlotte Hornets grabs a rebound against the New York Knicks during an NBA basketball game circa 1992 at Madison Square Garden in the Manhattan borough of New York City. Mourning played for the Hornets from 1992-95. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - CIRCA 1992: Alonzo Mourning #33 of the Charlotte Hornets grabs a rebound against the New York Knicks during an NBA basketball game circa 1992 at Madison Square Garden in the Manhattan borough of New York City. Mourning played for the Hornets from 1992-95. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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Apr 26, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA;Charlotte Bobcats center Al Jefferson (25) shoots the ball over Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem (40) during the second half in game three of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Heat defeated the Bobcats 98-85. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA;Charlotte Bobcats center Al Jefferson (25) shoots the ball over Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem (40) during the second half in game three of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Heat defeated the Bobcats 98-85. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Al Jefferson (2013-2016)

Charlotte made one of the more important free agent acquisitions in team history in the summer of 2013 when they signed Al Jefferson. At the time, Jefferson had registered seven straight seasons of at least 16 points and 9.2 rebounds between stints with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz.

Jefferson’s debut was delayed by injury, as he missed nine of Charlotte’s first 12 games. However, once he was able to suit up, Jefferson’s impact was felt immediately. His season averages of 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds were his best marks since 2008-09, and his 50.9% field goal percentage was his best since 2006-07. Jefferson had the five most prolific scoring performances for a Charlotte player that season while also having the 12 highest rebounding totals in a game for any Charlotte player.

Jefferson’s play helped lead Charlotte to its biggest single-season turnaround ever, going from 21 wins in the 2012-13 season to 43 in the 2013-14 season. Jefferson led the team in points, rebounds, and individual win shares. For his efforts, he was named to the All-NBA Third Team, becoming the first Charlotte player to make an All-NBA team since Eddie Jones in 2000. Charlotte finished with a 43-39 record and was the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference; unfortunately, Jefferson suffered a foot injury in the team’s first playoff game that hindered him for the rest of the series.

Jefferson would continue suffering injury issues the following year, first with his groin and later with his calf. These caused him to miss 17 games, as Charlotte struggled to a 33-49 record and missed the playoffs.

A combination of further injuries and a suspension limited Jefferson to just 47 games in 2015-16, the least of his career at that time. Of those games, he would be a starter in just 18, his fewest games started since 2005-06. However, this would be the team’s best season during Jefferson’s time in Charlotte, as they went 46-36 and secured the 6th seed. Unfortunately, they would fall in seven games to the Miami Heat in the first round, and Jefferson’s final game with Charlotte would come in game seven. He would depart that summer and join the Indiana Pacers, where he spent his final two NBA seasons.

Jefferson concluded his Charlotte career with averages of 17.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 195 games including 10 playoff games.