Swarm and Sting
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Charlotte Hornets’ best NBA draft picks in history 5-1

By W.B. Whitted

CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 15: Gerald Wallace #3 of the Charlotte Bobcats reacts during their game against the San Antonio Spurs at Time Warner Cable Arena on January 15, 2010 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. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 15: Gerald Wallace #3 of the Charlotte Bobcats reacts during their game against the San Antonio Spurs at Time Warner Cable Arena on January 15, 2010 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. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Charlotte Hornet Alonzo Mourning Photo by Rocky W. Widner/Getty Images)
Charlotte Hornet Alonzo Mourning Photo by Rocky W. Widner/Getty Images) /

Alonzo Mourning

Mourning ranking here may ruffle a few feathers given that he was only a Hornet for three seasons. But he had a WONDERFUL three seasons, and he’s the only Charlotte Hornet to be drafted and then later inducted into the hall-of-fame (the other two to make The Hall are Vlade Divac and Robert Parish). Mourning was inducted in 2014.

Mourning was an exceptional college player, and one of the stalwarts of a terrifyingly good Georgetown Hoyas program in the 1980s-1990s. He was a first-team All-American and won the Big East Player of the year in his final season in college. With all of that, he wasn’t considered the prize of the 1992 NBA draft. That distinction belonged to Shaquille O’Neal out of LSU.

Mourning was a phenomenal consolation prize for the Charlotte Hornets. He came into the league averaging a double-double, with roughly 21 points and 10 rebounds per contest. He was a member of the All-rookie team and finished second to O’Neal in the Rookie-of-the-year race.

He was devastating in his following two seasons in Charlotte as well, earning All-Star selections in each of the following years. Even in the playoffs, the 6’10 center was dominant, racking up Hornets’ career averages in the postseason of 23.2 points, 10.9 rebounds, and a staggering 3.5 blocks per game.

His feud with Larry Johnson ultimately led to Mourning getting traded to the Miami Heat. He would make the All-Star game another five times as Miami’s center and ultimately won a title with the Heat. While his time in the teal was short-lived, and his accomplishments were grander elsewhere, Mourning remains one of the greatest Hornets ever.