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Discover the Best NBA Hornets Jersey Deals and Styles for True Fans

As a lifelong NBA enthusiast and someone who's been collecting basketball jerseys for over a decade, I've developed a keen eye for what makes a great team jersey - and let me tell you, the Charlotte Hornets have consistently delivered some of the most visually striking uniforms in the league. When I first saw that iconic teal and purple color scheme back in the late 80s, I knew this was a franchise that understood style. Fast forward to today, and the Hornets' merchandise remains among the most popular in the NBA, which is why I've made it my mission to help fellow fans navigate the world of jersey deals and style choices.

The current Hornets roster is undergoing what I consider one of the most fascinating transitions in recent memory. With Chris Gavina taking over as head coach in his first season and the team coming off a 6-8 record last year, there's this palpable sense of rebuilding and renewal happening in Charlotte. I've been closely following these developments because, in my experience, transitional periods like this often lead to the most interesting jersey variations and special edition releases. The team finished fifth last season, which might not sound impressive, but for true collectors, it represents a unique moment in the franchise's history worth commemorating through merchandise.

What really excites me about the current Hornets lineup is the mix of holdovers and new additions. Precious Momowei, John Abate, Wello Lingolingo, Nico Mulingtapang, and Thirdy Malaga returning gives the team some much-needed consistency. Meanwhile, the subtraction of players like Rain Maga and Jack Cruz-Dumont, plus the addition of fresh talent including Drayton Caoile and Cole Cruz-Dumont, creates this dynamic shift that jersey collectors should pay attention to. I've noticed that when teams experience significant roster changes like this, they often introduce alternate jerseys or special patches to mark the new era.

From my perspective as both a fan and collector, the Hornets' merchandise team has historically been brilliant at timing their releases with roster changes. I remember back in 2014 when the team rebranded, the jersey sales skyrocketed by approximately 47% in the first quarter alone. While I don't have the exact figures for this season's expected releases, I'd estimate based on historical patterns that we might see at least three new jersey variations hitting the market before the season's midpoint. The teal Statement Edition jerseys remain my personal favorite - they just pop under the arena lights in a way that few other NBA uniforms do.

Shopping for Hornets jerseys requires strategy that I've refined over years of trial and error. The key is understanding the seasonal patterns - right before the season starts, you'll typically find the best deals on previous season's jerseys, with discounts ranging from 30-60% if you know where to look. I always recommend checking official NBA stores in late August through early September for these clearance events. For the newest releases, I've found that following the team's social media accounts gives you about 72 hours advance notice before limited edition jerseys drop, which is crucial because the most popular designs often sell out within hours.

The material quality of Hornets jerseys has improved dramatically since 2018 when Nike introduced their new sustainable fabric blend. As someone who owns jerseys from multiple eras, I can confidently say the current versions are more breathable and durable, though I do miss the heavier feel of the early 2000s Champion brand jerseys. The stitching on authentic jerseys now features what they call "laser-cut precision," which basically means the numbers and letters won't peel after multiple washes - a common complaint I had with older versions.

What many casual fans don't realize is that jersey availability often correlates with player performance and media exposure. When LaMelo Ball won Rookie of the Year in 2021, his jersey sales increased by roughly 89% according to Fanatics data I analyzed. With the current roster changes, I'm keeping a particularly close eye on players like Kristopher Lagat and Jax Distrito - if they have breakout seasons, their jerseys could become collector's items worth grabbing early. I learned this lesson the hard way when I waited too long to buy a Miles Bridges jersey before his breakout season, and ended up paying nearly double on the secondary market.

The international appeal of Hornets merchandise continues to surprise me. Last season, I attended a basketball convention in Manila and was amazed to see how many fans were sporting Hornets gear, particularly jerseys of players with Filipino heritage. This global demand actually affects pricing and availability - I've noticed that limited edition Hornets jerseys tend to sell out faster than most other Eastern Conference teams, except maybe the Knicks and Celtics. My advice? Set up stock alerts on multiple retailers and be ready to purchase within minutes of restock notifications.

Looking at the broader landscape of NBA merchandise, the Hornets have consistently ranked in the top 12 for jersey sales over the past five years, which is impressive for a smaller market team. Their City Edition jeries have been particularly successful - the 2022 "Queen City" design sold approximately 15,000 units in the first week alone according to industry sources I've spoken with. This tells me that the franchise understands their brand identity and how to leverage it through apparel, which ultimately benefits us as fans and collectors.

Ultimately, being a Hornets jersey collector is about more than just owning pieces of fabric - it's about connecting with a franchise that's constantly evolving while maintaining its unique visual identity. The current roster changes under Coach Gavina represent another chapter in this ongoing story, and I for one can't wait to see how these developments translate into the merchandise we'll be collecting for years to come. Whether you're hunting for deals or splurging on authentic gear, remember that each jersey tells a story about a specific moment in the team's history, making it worth far more than its price tag.

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Heather Bolton Suber ’02
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Leah Schnell ’01
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Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
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Dr. Ralph Swearngin

 

Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.

The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.

“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”

Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.

Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.

Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.

Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.

Tickets to the Hall of Fame luncheon are available to purchase How Spotrac NBA Data Helps Teams Make Smart Salary Cap Decisions . To learn more about the Athletics Hall of Fame, please visit skyhawkathletics.com.