Biggest No. 1 NBA draft pick misses for Charlotte Hornets
Know all about the iconic number 1 draft pick misses by the Charlotte Hornets that include names like Shaquille O'Neal and Anthony Davis.
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No 1 Draft Pick missed by the Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets have had some hard luck when it comes to landing the No. 1 Draft pick. Now for the fourth time in NBA history, the Hornets have missed out on the first overall pick in the NBA Draft. Unfortunate as it is, some really big names were drafted as the No. 1 pick in those respective drafts.
With Victor Wembanyama slipping through their fingers, here are the biggest No. 1 NBA Draft pick misses for the Charlotte Hornets. From Shaquille O’Neal to Anthony Davis, the list is one to resent for Hornets fans.
Also Read: Top NBA draft prospect 2023: Meet the best players in the latest draft class
1992: Shaquille O’Neal
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal was drafted as the first overall pick by the Orlando Magic from the 1992 draft class. He would then go on to win the Rookie of the Year and led the Magic to the 1995 NBA Finals. Shaq retired with four NBA Championships, three Finals MVPs, a regular season MVP and as one of the greatest centers in the history of the sport.
As for the Hornets, they signed Alonzo Mourning as the second overall draft pick behind Shaq. And to say, Mourning was just as good and performed for the Hornets until 1995. He received the second most votes behind Shaquille O’Neal for the Rookie of the Year and was quite substantial for his team throughout.
But Mourning decided to part ways with the Hornets in 1995 and rejected their contract renewal to play for the Miami Heat. He even won the Championship with the franchise in 2006, ironically, with Shaquille O’Neal by his side.
2004: Dwight Howard
The Orlando Magic drafted Dwight Howard as the first overall pick in 2004. One of the most formidable centers of his time in his prime, Howard went on to become an integral part of the Orlando squad. He drove the team to the 2009 NBA Finals, leading the league in both blocks and rebounds. Howard was also the first ever player in NBA history to have achieved the feat. He later won the NBA Championship with the Lakers in 2020.
Charlotte Hornets, on the other hand, drafted Emeka Okafor as the second overall pick instead. The versatile player did go on to become the face of the franchise. However, the then-Bobcats and Okafor parted ways after being traded to the New Orleans Hornets in 2009.
2012: Anthony Davis
This one surely has got to be one of the biggest No. 1 NBA draft pick misses for the Charlotte Hornets. Davis, who is now regarded as one of the greatest power forwards of all time, was drafted as the first overall pick by the New Orleans Hornets in 2012. Not missing out on big men like Shaquille O’Neal and Anthony Davis perhaps would have had different trajectories for the franchise.
Instead of Davis, the Charlotte Bobcats signed Michael Kidd-Gilchrist as the second overall pick. Although a promising forward of his time, Gilchrist’s injury-ridden career came nowhere near that of Davis. The forward and the Charlotte Hornets parted ways in 2020, as he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks.
2023: Victor Wembanyama
Perhaps one of the greatest prospects in recent history, Victor Wembanyama, has been making waves in the basketball world. Every franchise has had its eyes on the sensational youngster until the San Antonio Spurs secured the first overall pick.
Needless to say, the Hornets have missed out on a golden opportunity, but they sure have landed the second pick. The franchise will be looking to compensate with Scoot Henderson, who is definitely another special youngster in the 2023 draft class.
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Anjum Ash.
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