Standing only 5-3 Muggsy Bogues wasn�t the most intimidating physical specimen on the basketball court, but his talent combined with the passion and drive with which he played the game gave him an advantage that set him apart from his competitors and endeared him to fans throughout the Charlotte region.

His contributions to sports in the Queen City were recognized on December 19 as he was introduced as one of the 2006 inductees to the Greater Charlotte Sports Hall of Fame.

�This next inductee needs no introduction,� said Jeff Beaver, Executive Director of the Charlotte Regional Sports Commission, as he presented the names of the inductees at a press conference at Charlotte Bobcats Arena. �His stature on the basketball court is legendary. Muggsy Bogues, along with his teammate Dell Curry, to this day is known as the face of professional basketball in Charlotte.�

Selected by the Charlotte Hornets during the 1988 Expansion Draft, Bogues spent nine-plus years of his 14-year career playing in the Queen City. During his tenure in Charlotte, Bogues averaged 8.8 points, 8.8 assists and 1.7 steals and was consistently ranked among the league�s best in assists, steals and assist-to-turnover ratio.

�I�m very honored to be part of this today,� said Bogues. �When I came here in 1988 I had no idea it was going to lead to this. I�m very honored and pleased that I have ended up here in the city I truly love and that has a special place in my heart.�

�It feels great just to be acknowledged,� he continued. �So many people told me so that I couldn�t do it so many times that at one point I almost started to believe it. Now here it is today and I am getting inducted into the Charlotte Hall of Fame.�

But it wasn�t just for his playing talent that made Bogues a figure worthy to be included in the Greater Charlotte Sports Hall of Fame. The effort and time he spent forging bonds and working in the Charlotte community is also something that has garnered much admiration.

�I�ve been lucky to get to know him as a person,� said Beaver. �He�s just such a quality person.�

Bogues career has now come full circle as he is back on the hardwood in Charlotte, but in a different capacity, as head coach of the Charlotte Sting.

�Being the head coach of the Charlotte Sting, we have a lot of things we want to accomplish with this team,� he said. �I still see myself doing some very special things here in the city of Charlotte.�

Bogues is just one of five talented individuals named to the Greater Charlotte Sports Hall of Fame. The others include Tommy Helms, a tenacious infielder from Charlotte who spent 14 years in the Major Leagues; Jerry Richardson, a former NFL star who now is the owner of the Carolina Panthers; Clayton Heafner, a seven-time winner on the PGA Tour and John Belk, a former star basketball player at Davidson College who has played a key role in attracting collegiate and professional sports to Charlotte.

Established to recognize and honor outstanding sports figures from the Charlotte region, the Greater Charlotte Sports Hall of Fame inducts up to five members annually. Inductees must be at least 35 years old, have been retired from their sport for at least five years, or have distinguished themselves through their exemplary sports achievements and good character and brought positive recognition to the Charlotte region. The honorees must also be from the region or have lived here for 10 years.

�Charlotte has such a tremendous rich history is sports,� said Dan Owens, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Greater Charlotte Sports Hall of Fame. �As Charlotte enjoys its prominence as a nationally recognized sports city, it�s important to remember our roots and pay tribute to those who paved the way for this success.�

The Greater Charlotte Sports Hall of Fame will eventually make its permanent home at Charlotte Bobcats Arena, where the public will be able to visit and view information on all the inductees.

The 2006 inductees will be honored at a dinner celebration and tribute on the evening of May 13, 2006 at the Charlotte Convention Center. Proceeds from the event will benefit Charlotte/Mecklenburg Senior Centers Inc. For more information on the event please visit www.charlottehalloffame.com.