The Charlotte Hornets have developed a reputation for, uh, having an affinity for fomer North Carolina Tar Heels. Ever since they were reincarnated as the Charlotte Bobcats, a strong pipeline of former UNC players have moved through the Queen City.
In their inaugural 2005 draft they quickly pounced on NCAA champions and in-state heroes Raymond Felton and Sean May. At the time, it was a logical choice. The team needed some familiar faces as they rebuilt the team’s brand and following. Getting Michael Jordan to sign on as a minority partner later that year, seemed to confirm this strategy.