Charlotte Hornets to Retire Muggsy Bogues' No. 1 Jersey
The franchise will honor the legendary point guard during a ceremony on February 11.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Basketball
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The Charlotte Hornets are set to retire the No. 1 jersey of Muggsy Bogues, the shortest player in NBA history. The team will honor his legacy during a ceremony scheduled for February 11.
Why it matters
The organization is retiring the jersey to strengthen ties with its team history and honor one of its most iconic legends. Bogues remains the franchise leader in total assists, steals, and minutes played.
Standing 5-foot-3, Bogues holds the record as the shortest player in NBA history. He spent 10 of his 14 professional seasons with the Charlotte franchise after joining during the 1988 expansion draft.
The players
Muggsy Bogues
He is a former professional basketball player and the shortest person to ever play in the National Basketball Association.
Rick Schnall
He is a co-owner of the Charlotte Hornets who oversees the franchise's strategic operations.
Gabe Plotkin
He is a co-owner of the Charlotte Hornets who works alongside team leadership to manage the organization.
Bobby Phills
He is a former professional basketball player whose jersey was previously retired by the Charlotte Hornets organization.
Dell Curry
He is a former professional basketball player whose jersey was previously retired by the Charlotte Hornets organization.
The details
Bogues spent a decade in Charlotte between 1988 and 1998, cementing his place in the team's record books. Owners Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin decided to honor the 61-year-old athlete, who joins Bobby Phills and Dell Curry as the only players with retired jerseys for the organization.
Timeline
Bogues joined the franchise via the 1988 expansion draft.
Bogues played for the Charlotte Hornets from 1988 to 1998.
The jersey retirement ceremony is scheduled for February 11, 2027.
Season Trajectory
This decision marks a continued effort by the franchise to curate its historical identity by elevating figures who defined the team's early years. It follows the precedent set by the retirement of Bobby Phills and Dell Curry jerseys in the franchise history.
This honor recognizes Bogues as the all-time franchise leader in assists, steals, and minutes played. The move solidifies his standing as a central figure in team history, joining the exclusive list of players with jerseys hanging in the arena rafters.
The takeaway
Honoring franchise legends helps bridge the gap between historic achievements and current team identity. Fans can look forward to celebrating one of the most unique and productive careers in league history during the upcoming ceremony.
What happens next
The official jersey retirement ceremony for Muggsy Bogues is scheduled to take place on February 11, 2027.
Further reading
Find more local coverage on the Charlotte Basketball page.
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