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Hornets to Retire Muggsy Bogues' Jersey
Confirmed
In Short: The Charlotte Hornets will retire the jersey of Muggsy Bogues, the shortest player in NBA history.
The Charlotte Hornets will retire the jersey of Muggsy Bogues, the shortest player in NBA history, in recognition of his contributions to the team and the sport.
Bogues, who stands at 5-foot-3, was selected by the Hornets in the 1988 NBA Expansion Draft and became a cornerstone of the franchise.
He played 10 seasons with the Hornets from 1988 to 1998, helping establish the team as one of the NBA's most exciting young franchises.
Bogues, a college star at Wake Forest, was drafted No. 12 overall by the Washington Bullets in the 1987 NBA Draft but was left unprotected in the 1988 expansion draft, allowing the Hornets to select him.
During his tenure with the Hornets, Bogues helped the team reach the playoffs three times, including its first postseason appearance in 1993, when the Hornets advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Bogues is remembered for his role in the 1996 film 'Space Jam,' where he was one of the five active NBA players whose talent was stolen by the MonStars to face Michael Jordan and the Looney Tunes.
Despite never making an All-Star Team or averaging more than 11.1 points per game, Bogues averaged double-digit assists on multiple occasions and remains Charlotte's all-time leader in steals.
The Hornets co-chairmen, Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin, said, 'Honoring the players who helped build this franchise is an important part of our commitment to Hornets history.'
Bogues, in a statement, expressed gratitude for the support he received from Hornets fans, saying, 'Charlotte has been home to me and my family for so many years, and the support I’ve received from Hornets fans has meant everything to me.'
Bogues will become the third player in franchise history to have his jersey retired, joining Bobby Phills (No. 13) and Dell Curry (No. 30).
What this adds
The Hornets will retire Bogues' jersey, highlighting his enduring impact on the organization and his contributions to the game of basketball.
What's confirmed
- Bogues will become the third member of the Hornets to have his jersey retired, joining former teammates Bobby Phills, who died in a car accident in 2000, and Dell Curry, who remains with the team as a broadcaster.
What's still developing
- Bogues grew into the full-time starting point guard for the Hornets during the 1989-90 season and held his post through 1997.
- That allowed him to start his career playing next to the 7-foot-7 Manute Bol, who, at the time, was the tallest player in NBA history (a title he now shares with Gheorghe Mureșan).
- The 90s represent the most successful era in Hornets history, with Bogues, Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning leading Charlotte to several postseason trips.
- Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White are blocked from the WNBA draft, sparking conversation on 'The Five.' The co-hosts analyze the league's official statement that only women are eligible to play.
- "An original member of the Hornets, Bogues has spent more than 20 years with the organization as a player and ambassador. The honor recognizes his accomplishments during 10 seasons with the team and his enduring impact on the organization, his steadfast commitment and continued service to the Charlotte community and his contributions to the game of basketball around the globe," the Hornets said in a statement.
- "Muggsy was here from the beginning and played with a heart, toughness and competitive spirit that made him a fan favorite. At 5-foot-3, he overcame obstacles throughout his career and proved he belonged among the best players in the world. He became a role model for generations, showing young people that their size doesn’t have to limit what they can achieve. His accomplishments on the court and commitment to Charlotte have made him a beloved part of this organization."
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- Freedom questions who has the authority to determine eligibility.
- While Johnson and Mourning provided the star power, Bogues helped orchestrate the offense and establish the identity of a young franchise looking to compete against the NBA's established contenders.
- Beyond his accomplishments on the court, Bogues became an inspiration to generations of basketball players who were told they were too small to compete.
- According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Hornets will retire Muggsy Bogues' No.
- He quickly became a central figure in the Hornets' rise during the 1990s, playing alongside stars such as Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning.