How to Collect | The Charlotte Hornets

The Story of Stars in Charlotte

From Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning to LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, the Charlotte Hornets have thrilled fans with decades of electrifying play and collector-worthy moments. This guide shows collectors how to build a true Hornets masterpiece through iconic Topps Basketball cards.

Charlotte Hornets collectors can celebrate every era—from Larry Johnson’s “Grandmama” days to LaMelo Ball’s modern flair—through Topps Basketball cards. Must-have sets include 1993 Topps Finest, 1997 Topps Chrome, and new releases featuring Brandon Miller. Each captures the franchise’s energy and evolving star power.

Jump to Section:

• Mount Rushmore
• Breaking Through in Charlotte
• Collecting Grandmama
• Cooking with (Glen) Rice
• New Millennium Stars
• Dell Curry
• Charlotte Bobcats
• Collecting Kemba
• Today’s Headliners
• Collecting Your Way
• FAQs
• Key Facts

Hornets Mount Rushmore

Charlotte’s basketball legacy is built on energy, loyalty, and personality. From Muggsy Bogues’ grit to Kemba Walker’s leadership, Hornets cards capture every era of excitement in the Queen City.

Start your collection with the legends who defined the franchise:

• 1993 Topps Finest #162 Larry Johnson Refractor – “Grandmama” brought swagger and power to the Hornets’ first playoff run.
• 1997 Topps Chrome #87 Muggsy Bogues Refractor – The 5’3” floor general who symbolized underdog determination.
• 1998 Topps Finest #217 Glen Rice Refractor – Three-time All-Star who led Charlotte to franchise-record wins.
• 2008 Topps McDonald’s All-American #KW Kemba Walker – The heartbeat of the 2010s Hornets era.

1993 Topps Basketball Finest #162 Larry Johnson Refractor

1997 Topps Chrome Basketball #87 Muggsy Bogues Refractor

1998 Topps Basketball Finest #217 Glen Rice Refractor

2008 Topps Basketball McDonald’s All-American #KW Kemba Walker

Breaking Through in Charlotte

In 1991, Charlotte took Larry Johnson at the top of the draft, and a year later, selected big man Alonzo Mourning second overall. The young duo led the Hornets to a 44-38 record and the franchise’s first-ever playoff appearance in 1992/93. The exciting young team beat the Celtics in the first round before falling to the Knicks in five games.

An intriguing core, including Muggsy Bogues and Dell Curry, was built around the young All-Stars, and the team won 50 games in 1994/95.

LJ, ‘Zo, and Bogues can all be found in the popular 1993 Topps Finest Basketball set, which included the first-ever Refractor cards and a whole group of coveted options, such as a Michael Jordan card (part-owner of the Hornets today) that remains one of his most valuable Topps Basketball cards.

While Johnson and Mourning would both leave the organization, these teams of the ’90s remain essential pieces in a Hornets team collection.

Collecting Grandmama

Larry Johnson electrified the college basketball world with a historically great UNLV team, and a fantastic start to his NBA career had him earmarked for stardom. His famous Grandmama commercial series, endorsing Converse, broke into the sports and pop culture zeitgeist.

Cooking with (Glen) Rice

Glen Rice was the key piece acquired when Alonzo Mourning was traded to Miami, and while he only played with the Hornets for three years, he had a great run in Charlotte. Like Johnson and Mourning, Rice put together an incredible collegiate career, including a championship in 1989. 

In three seasons with the Hornets, he made three All-Star games. Finishing fifth in MVP voting in 1997, he led the team to a franchise-record 54 wins. This 1997 SSP from Topps Finest is just one of the Rice chase cards from his stay in town.

New Millennium Stars  

The 21st century began with a new duo emerging in Charlotte. Prime Jamal Mashburn linked with young phenom Baron Davis, leading to back-to-back playoff appearances and two playoff series wins.

Both stars have a number of cards from their time in Charlotte, including rookie cards of two-time All-Star Davis from 1999. 

Dell Curry

Long before Steph Curry broke the NBA with his unprecedented outside shooting, he was learning from one of the best: his father Dell. The three-point shooting savant joined Charlotte in the 1988 expansion draft and would go on to play 10 seasons with the Hornets.

In five straight seasons, the three-point specialist would receive votes for NBA Sixth Man of the Year, winning the award in 1994. In three of his last four years in town, Dell shot over 42% from distance. His cards belong in any Hornets collection, and they also capture a piece of how Steph became Steph.

Bobcat Tough and the Return of the Hornets

After the original Hornets franchise moved to New Orleans in 2002, NBA basketball returned to Charlotte two years later, with a team called the Bobcats. After five seasons outside the playoffs, the Bobcats made their postseason debut in 2010, boasting a fearsome second-ranked defense known for its relentlessness and bruising style of play.

The Bobcats were led by All-Star and All-NBA defender Gerald Wallace, whose RC can be found in 2001 Topps Chrome Basketball. His 2009 Chrome card captures Wallace in a Bobcats uniform.

In 2014, the Bobcats were renamed the Hornets, taking back all records and history from the franchise’s original incarnation as the New Orleans franchise became the Pelicans.

Collecting Kemba

Charlotte’s all-time leading scorer, first in minutes played, first in three-pointers made, and third in steals, Kemba Walker’s career in Charlotte is the best the organization has ever seen.

A must-chase player in any Hornets collection, the point guard reached near-mythical status during his incredible run to the 2011 NCAA championship with UCONN. Kemba was an All-Star in his last three seasons in Charlotte, as well as being the heart and soul of the team throughout his time in town. One day, if all is right, Kemba will see his number raised to the rafters at the Spectrum Center. 

Today’s Headliners

Led by one of the most entertaining young stars in the NBA, 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball, and Brandon Miller, the Hornets look to be building their next contender.

Both players will be centerpieces of upcoming Topps Basketball releases, as will highly touted rookie Kon Knueppel, who will surely be one of the first-year players to chase in this year’s sets.

Collecting History Your Way

In under four decades in the league, Charlotte has built a history of exciting duos, electric personalities, and underdog stories. From Grandmama to Muggsy to Kemba, to a new young duo to build around, collectors have a ton of options from which to compose a wonderful team collection. 

Collecting Charlotte Hornets FAQS

• Which Hornets cards are most valuable?
  • Key high-value Hornets cards include 1993 Topps Finest Larry Johnson Refractor, 1997 Topps Chrome Muggsy Bogues, and modern LaMelo Ball rookie parallels.
• When did the Hornets first appear in Topps Basketball?
  • The Hornets debuted in early ’90s Topps sets, including 1993 Topps Finest and 1994 Stadium Club editions.
• What modern Hornets cards should collectors chase?
  • Top targets include LaMelo Ball autos, Brandon Miller rookie refractors, and Kemba Walker inserts from the 2010s.
• How did the Bobcats era affect Hornets collectibles?
  • 2000s Bobcats cards featuring Gerald Wallace and Emeka Okafor bridge the franchise’s rebranding and remain niche collector favorites.
• Why is Topps Basketball significant?
  • It has been part of the NBA’s hobby culture for nearly 70 years, serving as a bridge between past legends and future icons.

Key Facts

• Charlotte Hornets debuted in 1988.
• First major Topps appearance: 1993 Topps Finest Basketball.
• Icons: Larry Johnson, Alonzo Mourning, Kemba Walker.
• Modern stars: LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller.
• Refractors and Chrome sets drive collector demand.

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