Charlotte Hornets to Retire Jersey of Muggsy Bogues

Charlotte Hornets Honor Franchise Great

The Charlotte Hornets have officially announced that they will retire the No. 1 jersey of Muggsy Bogues, recognized as the shortest player in NBA history at 5-foot-3. The upcoming jersey retirement ceremony is scheduled to take place on Feb. 11, marking a monumental milestone for the franchise and its storied history.

Team owners Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin decided to honor Bogues to maintain a strong connection with the organization's past legends. Bogues initially arrived in Charlotte during the 1988 expansion draft and spent 10 of his 14 total professional seasons with the club.

A Historic Legacy on the Court

During his tenure with the team from 1988 through 1998, Bogues established himself as a foundational pillar for the organization. He currently stands as the franchise leader in total assists, steals, and minutes played.

Reflecting on the upcoming honor, Bogues shared his perspective on rising above challenges throughout his career. "After all those times that you felt like you were looking up, looking up for so many years, at people," Bogues remarked. "Then here comes this particular moment, and when that jersey actually goes up it'll be like I'm the one looking down at the entire world. It's going to be a surreal moment."

Embraced by the City

At 61 years old, Bogues has dedicated more than two decades to the organization, serving both as a fierce competitor on the court and later as an official team ambassador.

"Charlotte embraced me with open arms," Bogues noted, explaining how deeply connected he feels to the region. "This is a place I've called home more than I've called any other place home, even growing up in the city of Baltimore."

When the No. 1 banner is raised to the rafters, Bogues will join an exclusive group of players. He becomes only the third individual to receive this distinction from the team, following Bobby Phills, who wore No. 13, and Dell Curry, who wore No. 30.

Sources: ESPN, The New York Times, NBA.com.