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Charlotte Hornets: 25 Best Players To Play For The Hornets

By Phil Watson

Jan 23, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; General view of the court during the game between the Charlotte Hornets and the New York Knicks at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets won 97-84. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; General view of the court during the game between the Charlotte Hornets and the New York Knicks at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets won 97-84. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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PORTLAND, OR- JANUARY 16: Kenny Gattison #44 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers during a game played on January 16, 1994 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland., Oregon. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1994 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR- JANUARY 16: Kenny Gattison #44 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers during a game played on January 16, 1994 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland., Oregon. Copyright 1994 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

24. player. 170. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Free agent, Sept. 26, 1989 and Dec. 2, 1989.. PF. 1989-95. Kenny Gattison

The Charlotte Hornets had Kenny Gattison and almost let him get away. Fortunately, they were able to rectify that and brought back a reserve big man who was never afraid to get physical.

The Hornets signed Gattison in September 1989, five days after he had been waived by the Phoenix Suns, but then cut Gattison during the preseason.

CHA_24_GATTISON
CHA_24_GATTISON /

In December 1989, the Hornets brought Gattison–who had spent the interim in Italy and the Continental Basketball Association–back as a free agent.

This time, he stuck around for nearly six years. Primarily a reserve, Gattison did start 71 games for Charlotte in 1991-92 and posted career highs in nearly every statistical category as a result of the boost in minutes.

A neck injury limited him to 21 games in 1994-95.

Left unprotected in the expansion draft, Gattison was selected by the Vancouver Grizzlies in June 1995.

In parts of six seasons in Charlotte, Gattison averaged 8.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in 21.1 minutes per game, shooting .529/1-for-9/.656.

A four-year starter at Old Dominion, Gattison averaged 17.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game as a senior.

The Suns selected Gattison in the third round, 55th overall, in the 1986 NBA Draft.

After playing deep in Phoenix’s rotation as a rookie, a severe left knee injury sustained during the preseason in October 1987 nearly ended his career. He missed the entire 1987-88 season and all but two games in 1988-89.

Soreness in the knee limited Gattison to 25 games with the Grizzlies in 1995-96 before he was traded to the Orlando Magic in February 1996.

He never played for the Magic and in August 1996 was traded to the Utah Jazz, who released him in September 1996.

Gattison also spent 14 seasons in the NBA as an assistant coach.

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