NBA Draft: Each team's greatest draft pick of all-time

NBA Draft: Each team’s greatest draft pick of all-time

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Greatest draft pick in Charlotte Hornets history: Alonzo Mourning

In what very may well have been the golden age of dominant centers, Alonzo Mourning wasn’t at the top of the list, but with the ability to impact the game at both ends of the court, he certainly wasn’t too far behind.

From the moment he stepped foot on the court as the No. 2 overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, Zo was a force on both sides of the ball. He averaged 21.3 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game in three seasons in Buzz City, with the latter two getting him a spot in the annual All-Star Game.

Mourning combined strength and athleticism in a very unique way, able to simply bully his way to the bucket out of the post and subsequently go down to the other end of the court and protect the rim as an intimidating and feared interior presence.

The Hornets organization only came into existence prior to the 1988-89 season, and it was Mourning who originally provided hope for a bright future as a terrific college center coming out of Georgetown University.

He would lead Charlotte to its first-ever postseason appearance in his inaugural season in the NBA, and his last-second jumper in Game 4 against the Boston Celtics would push the Hornets to the second round of the playoffs.

Mourning’s tenure in Charlotte didn’t last nearly as long as many had hoped. He would go on to win two Defensive Player of the Year awards as well as earn a spot in the Hall of Fame, but for fans of the Hornets in the 1990s and fans of the team in general, that shot against Boston will continue to serve as arguably the greatest moment in franchise history.

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