The Charlotte Hornets have officially announced that Charles Lee will be taking over as the team’s next head coach, making him the 12th coach in franchise history. Lee, who currently serves as the top assistant on the Boston Celtics, will be welcomed with a news conference after Boston’s playoff run.
With 10 years of experience in the NBA, Lee has worked with teams such as the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks, reaching the playoffs nine times. During his time with the Boston Celtics, Lee helped lead the team to a 64-18 record, the best in the NBA and the fourth-most wins in franchise history. Prior to his NBA career, Lee played college basketball at Bucknell University and spent four seasons playing professionally overseas.
Expressing his excitement about joining the Hornets, Lee said, “The Hornets have a talented young core of players and I’m excited about our future and what we can build here. There are few places as passionate about basketball as the Carolinas, and I look forward to coming to Charlotte and getting to work.”
Lee’s hiring comes after former head coach Steve Clifford stepped down in early April. Under Clifford’s leadership, the Hornets had a challenging season with only 18 wins. Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Jeff Peterson expressed his enthusiasm about the new hire and believes that Lee shares the organization’s vision for the team.
The Hornets plan to hold a news conference to officially introduce Lee as their new head coach following the conclusion of Boston Celtics’ playoff run.