The history of basketball in Charlotte would be incomplete without Muggsy Bogues.
The 5-3 floor general was a trailblazer within his — and any generation — overcoming his diminutive dimensions to become one of the sport’s most beloved players. Nowhere was that love more evident than in the Queen City, where Bogues spent the majority of his career.
Bogues, the shortest player in league history, gave all the Hornets could have asked for him across his glittering career. Nearly 30 years on from his departure from the franchise, he’ll finally get a chance to get his just rewards for time well-spent in his old digs.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Hornets are giving Bogues the ultimate recognition on Feb. 11, shooting his No. 1 jersey to the rafters.
Here’s everything that you need to know about Charlotte’s decision to retire Bogues’ kit once and for all.
Why the Hornets are retiring Muggsy Bogues’ No. 1 jersey
It’s easy to forget the Bogues was one of the sport’s better guards during his playing career. The Baltimore native was a vaunted playmaker who twice averaged more than 10 assists in a single season. He finished his career with 6,726 dimes, the 28th-highest tally in league history. His 7.6 assists per-game mark ranks 16th among players to play at least 800 games, better than the likes of Nikola Jokic, James Harden and LeBron James.
Bogues achieved his most success with Charlotte, spending 10 of his 14 NBA seasons in the Queen City. He’s the franchise’s all-time leader in assists (5,557) and steals (1,067). He also ranks second in games played (632) and ninth in points (5,531). The franchise selected him in the 1988 expansion draft and he remained on the roster until he was traded to the Warriors in 1997. Bogues helped lead the franchise to three playoff appearances, two of which the Hornets advance out of the first round.
Simply, Bogues is one of Charlotte’s greatest-ever players.With LaMelo Ball out of town, the Hornets don’t appear to be compelled to issue No. 1 to any other Charlotte player. Bogues will live on in eternity in the rafters, joining his former teammates — Bobby Phills (No. 13) and Dell Curry (No. 30) to receive the prize. It is richly-deserved.
