Retired Charlotte Hornets guard Muggsy Bogues credits improved health and LaMelo Ball’s leadership for the team’s momentum, pointing to stronger chemistry and consistent play from key contributors. By DIAMOND VENCES
It’s been 25 years since Muggsy Bogues retired from the NBA and nearly 30 years since he wore a Charlotte NBA jersey, but Bogues, now 61, still registers as one of the most easily recognized and popular Hornets of all time.
Part of it is his size — at 5-foot-3, Bogues is the shortest player in NBA history. Part of it is his personality. He never seems to have a bad day. And unlike many local celebrities, you can bump into Bogues almost anywhere.
“I can go to grocery store,” Bogues said last week. “I mean, I don’t have that issues (with) being bombarded, even though I know people are going to acknowledge me and talk to me and want my autograph. I have no problem with that.”
Today, Bogues serves as an ambassador for the NBA and the Hornets, visiting NBA cities and making international stops to forward the game. But he always comes home to Charlotte, where he’s raised a family, and he said he’s appreciative that the fans still remember him here.
Former Charlotte Hornets guard Muggsy Bogues on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
“You know, if someone want to recognize me, or they do recognize me, I look at that as a blessing,” Bogues said. “Someone is taking time out of their busy day to just acknowledge you. So I have no hang ups on going to places thinking that, well, it’s crowded, you might get bombarded, or somebody wants your autograph. I could care less about that. It’s just a blessing, just to be recognized.”
Bogues recently sat for an extended interview with The Observer to discuss a new heart scanning tool and company, Heartflow, he’s become involved with, and he also talked about March Madness, LaMelo Ball and his good friend, Dell Curry, who recently had his Hornets’ jersey retired.
Bogues’ answers are lightly edited for brevity and clarity.
Q. The Hornets started 16-38 and are now two games above .500, at 37-34, well within reach of a top five playoff seed. How did they go from lottery bound to here?
MB: One, they are all healthy. But for me, it all comes down to (point guard) LaMelo (Ball). He bought in. He understood what he had around him, and he trusted what he had around him. And you can see it in his play, from that time when everything started to gel, with how he was playing and how he was really implementing his teammates, and they fed off of that.
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, left, speaks to forward Kon Knueppel, right, during action against the Memphis Grizzlies at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC on Saturday, March 21, 2026. The Hornets defeated the Grizzlies 124-101. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
They went on that nine-game winning streak where they were able to create a lot of buzz and put themselves back in a position where, you know, basketball was exciting in Charlotte again.
Q. Is it starting to feel like it did here when you were playing and Hornets’ games were a destination event for local fans?
MB: I don’t think we ever are going to get back to that. That was a different time, and it was a different how we came in and were able to capture the fans, but it’s starting to get to a point to where (fans) understand what this team is about. And I think they’re cheering for that because you’ve got a little more insight into who they are, who you’re cheering for. And so it’s exciting to see it all come to a fruition, just to see it the energy again.
Q. Last week, the Hornets retired Dell Curry’s jersey. How much would it mean for Charlotte to retire your No. 1?
MB: I don’t need it to go up. That’s good. I’m good. I’m fine with it. I’m just happy for my guy, Dell, for him to get his recognition. That is definitely well deserved. I’m fine. You know, the organization doesn’t have to do anything with me at all. Right now, I’m not looking down that road. They don’t have to think about me in that way. I’m just happy, you know, for my brother from another mother.
Former Charlotte Hornets forward Dell Curry speaks during his jersey retirement ceremony at Spectrum Center on Thursday, March 19, 2026. The Charlotte Hornets retired Dell Curry's number 30 jersey and lifted a banner into the rafters during half-time of the team's game against the Orlando Magic. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Q. So how did you become involved with Heartflow? Heartflow is a California-based company that’s developed an AI technology that makes a 3D model of the heart for doctors to analyze and help develop treatment plans. Heartflow is offering free scans to former NFL, NHL and NBA players, like Bogues, with a goal to better understand heart health in athletes.
MB: Believe it or not, it was through (original Hornet’s owner) George Shinn, who called me because he went through it. And he told me what it all does. I’ve lost friends to cardiovascular disease. You know, it alarmed me. I wanted to know what was going on inside. So myself and my wife (Kim), we flew to Nashville, Tennessee, and we got the study done.
Former Charlotte Hornets guard Muggsy Bogues on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Q. What was that like?
MB: Basically, it was doing a regular CAT scan. They put you through the machine, and it’s only takes about 20 minutes. It’s non-invasive, and it’s really an opportunity to just find out what’s all going on, on the inside. My wife and I, our hearts were fine, but we were able to detect that she had (an issue with her) thyroid in her neck. She felt like it was a cold every time she swallowed. Now we’re treating it. The test on it came back benign, and so now they’re going to do surgery and remove it.
Q. It’s March, and the NCAA Tournament begins Sweet 16 play this week. As a former college player at Wake Forest, do you still get excited this time of year?
MB: I get really excited about March Madness because it’s where you find the most enthusiastic basketball around. You don’t find that in the NBA. Even though you’ve got NIL involved now this is still the most enthusiastic and exciting time of the year.
Q. Who do you like to win the whole thing?
Former Charlotte Hornets guard Muggsy Bogues on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
MB: I had Duke (Blue Devil Gear) going all the way, at first, and that hurts me to say that as a Wake guy. But I think some of their injuries will derail them, and it may cause them not to go all the way, but I do have them in the Final Four. After it’s all said and done, (Houston) coach Kelvin Sampson, he’s been there for so many years, and you know the experience that he went through last year (making the finals), I can really see them being the last team standing, even though it could be Arizona as well. But I’m gonna go with Houston.
Q. You mentioned NIL. What are your thoughts on that and the transfer portal and how they have changed the college game so much?
MB: It’s sad to me because it takes away from the up-and-coming high school kids. A lot of those kids now have to go to junior college. They can’t go to a four-year university at the beginning because there’s no more spots, because you have, 26 and 27 year olds still playing against these kids. I saw one where a guy that tried out for the Hornets went back to college. I’m like, ‘This is ridiculous.’ I mean, what are we doing?
Q: Does the NCAA need a salary cap to better handle NIL and put teams on a level playing field?
MB: They do. They need more than a salary cap. The agents down there, they can charge up to 20%. For professionals, it’s no more than 4%. There should be some kind of cap on that. And I think (the NCAA) should do a better job.