There are players whose weight in popular culture goes far beyond their sporting impact. Muggsy Bogues needs no award or recognition to be remembered as the shortest player ever to reach the NBA, standing at just 160 centimetres. Even so, it never hurts to see the Charlotte Hornets retire his number ‘1’ jersey.
It is no coincidence that the franchise has made the decision just a few months after trading LaMelo Ball, their star until now and the wearer of the number during his first six years in the league.
The organisation announced the decision with a video showing an emotional Bogues, who had been led to believe he was filming a commercial before being surprised with the news.
Bogues was part of the Hornets’ early years in the NBA, having been selected in the 1988 expansion draft. He would play there for just over 10 seasons until he was traded to Golden State. He played a total of 632 games, averaging 8.8 points and 8.8 assists per night. He helped the Hornets reach the playoffs three times in those years and get past the first round in the East in 1993 after beating Boston.
Although he played for other teams, his image will always be linked to those Hornets of Larry Johnson, Alonzo Mourning and Dell Curry. A small man can reach as high as the roof of an arena.
(Cover photo by Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports)