The Hornets announced today the creation of a $10,000 scholarship for a North Carolina journalism student in honor of the late Rick Bonnell, a Charlotte Observer beat reporter who covered the NBA in Charlotte for more than 30 years.
Bonnell passed away in June at age 63. He was a go-to source for team news given his deep knowledge of the Hornets, a franchise he covered for consecutive years beginning with its inaugural season in 1988-89 through the team’s 2020-21 season.
In addition to the scholarship, the Hornets will honor Bonnell’s life and legacy with a video tribute and moment of silence at the team’s 2021-22 home opener on Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers.