The Charlotte Hornets were established in 1988 as part of the NBA’s expansion into the Southeast. Because Charlotte was somehow deemed ready for professional basketball.¹⁾

They were the first major professional sports team based in North Carolina. Because NASCAR apparently didn’t count.²⁾

“Hornets” comes from a Revolutionary War-era nickname: British General Cornwallis called Charlotte a “hornet’s nest of rebellion.” So yes, your team is named after some spicy colonial shade.³⁾

Their teal and purple uniforms were wildly popular in the 1990s. Basically, they dressed like Lisa Frank threw up—and people loved it.⁴⁾

Standing at 5’3”, Muggsy Bogues is the shortest player in NBA history—and he was a Hornets legend. Your team was literally carried by a man the height of a middle schooler.⁵⁾

Larry Johnson played a fictional granny in sneakers. Yes, this happened. And people thought it was cool.⁶⁾

In 2002, the Hornets moved to New Orleans. But in 2004, Charlotte got another expansion team—called the Bobcats, which was… a mistake.⁷⁾

The “Bobcats” were named after then-owner Bob Johnson. Because nothing says humility like naming a franchise after yourself.⁸⁾

Michael Jordan became the majority owner of the franchise in 2010. Unfortunately, his basketball wizardry did not transfer to ownership.⁹⁾

In 2014, the Bobcats reclaimed the “Hornets” name. ¹⁰⁾

Hugo has been stinging crowds with his weird little antennae since 1988. He once caught fire doing a dunk stunt. Not metaphorically—actual fire.¹¹⁾

Their first game ever (1988) broke attendance records with over 24k fans. That’s more than they’ve had in some entire seasons.¹²⁾

Despite being insanely athletic, Muggsy Bogues never dunked in an NBA game. But let’s be honest—he probably dunked on your soul.¹³⁾

Steph Curry’s dad, Dell, was a sharpshooter for the Hornets.¹⁴⁾

In 1993, Zo hit a buzzer-beater to win the Hornets’ first-ever playoff series.¹⁵⁾