Larry Johnson

Larry Johnson, born March 14, 1969, in Tyler, Texas, was the first player the Charlotte Hornets ever selected with the number one overall pick — chosen atop the 1991 NBA Draft out of UNLV as a physically imposing, offensively skilled power forward whose combination of strength, footwork, and competitive fire made him one of the most complete frontcourt players of his era. His five seasons in Charlotte from 1991 to 1996 represent the franchise's peak, a period when the Hornets captured the NBA's imagination with one of its most talented and entertaining young rosters. Johnson's path to the top pick ran through UNLV — the Running Rebels — where coach Jerry Tarkanian built one of college basketball's most dominant programs. In 1990-91, Johnson's final season, he led UNLV to a 34-1 record and the national championship while averaging 22.7 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, earning consensus National Player of the Year honors. His physical profile — a 6-foot-7 frame sculpted to 250 pounds with genuine post skills, a reliable midrange jumper, and extraordinary strength — made him the unambiguous top selection. In Charlotte, Johnson was immediately dominant. He earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors in 1991-92, was named to the All-Star Game in 1993, and consistently posted 20-plus-point seasons as the franchise's offensive cornerstone. Alongside Alonzo Mourning, Muggsy Bogues, and Dell Curry, Johnson anchored a roster that made the Charlotte Coliseum one of the NBA's most electric venues and Charlotte one of its most passionate basketball cities. Beyond basketball, Johnson became a cultural phenomenon through his 'Grandmama' alter ego — a hilarious Converse marketing campaign that dressed him as a fierce, athletic grandmother who dominated on the court. The campaign became one of the 1990s' most beloved sports marketing moments and demonstrated Johnson's charisma and willingness to connect with fans beyond pure athletic achievement.