National Basketball Association

Charlotte Hornets unveil honeycomb court design

Published Jun. 26, 2014 2:00 p.m. ET

foxsports

CHARLOTTE -- It has been a whirlwind of an offseason for the Charlotte Hornets. First, there was the name change, followed by the unveiling of the team's new uniforms. Now comes the revealing of its new court, which the Hornets did Thursday morning, hours ahead of the NBA draft.

The floor is a honeycomb that has a parquet-type feel, with the free throw lanes being a dark purple, while the out-of-bounds borders are teal, with the words "Charlotte Hornets" written in each baseline.

The centerpiece is the team's new logo at mid-court.

"When we look at our primary logo in the center, it depicts how we want to play as a team with the fierceness, the tenacity and a sense of protect this place," Hornets president and CEO Fred Whitfield said. "We wanted a classic design and to keep it clean."

When Whitfield and the rest of the Hornets brass got together with the designing group, they told them they wanted to keep it simple but also turn out something that was memorable.

"We thought that would give us our identity and be recognizable all over the country," Whitfield said.

Everyone in attendance of the unveiling, including the usually cynical media, all gave their approval. Charlotte reserve point guard Jannero Pargo especially liked the new court.

"I think it's simple, yet elegant," he said. "I think they are doing a great job of giving the people what they want. And they're not going over the top with it."

With the name and looks of the team similar to the olden days when the team led the NBA in attendance eight straight seasons in the 1980's and 90's, Whitfield said there's only one thing left to do.

"We want to do everything we can to make sure this arena has the same sort of feel, the same sort of energy, the old 'Hive' had," he said. "I think our players will be energized when they see this court every night."