The Charlotte Hornets franchise, originally the Bobcats, saw Cartier Martin wear jersey No. 1 during the 2008-2009 season. Martin's journey from the D-League to a seven-year NBA career provides a key chapter in the team's jersey history. The current Hornets are coming off a 110-96 victory over the New York Knicks on April 12, 2026, part of a recent 3-2 run in their last five games.
Cartier Martin, a forward from Kansas State, joined the Charlotte Bobcats on a 10-day contract in 2008. He earned his spot after strong performances with the Iowa Energy in the NBA D-League. The Bobcats were impressed enough to convert his deal into a standard contract for the rest of the season.
Martin appeared in 33 games for Charlotte that year. He averaged 2.6 points, one rebound, 0.4 assists, and 0.2 steals in just 8.1 minutes per contest. His role was limited, but his path to the NBA was a notable one for an undrafted player.
Martin's single season with the Bobcats was just the start. He went on to play seven total NBA seasons, a solid achievement for any undrafted prospect. After Charlotte, he had stints with the Golden State Warriors, Washington Wizards, Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, and Detroit Pistons.
His career totals include 243 games played. Martin finished with averages of 5.1 points, 1.9 rebounds, 0.5 assists, and 0.4 steals per game. He carved out a role as a reliable perimeter player who could provide a scoring spark off the bench.
The modern Charlotte Hornets have shown a mixed bag of results lately. Their last five games feature a 3-2 record, with the sequence reading WLLWW from oldest to most recent. The most recent result was a convincing 110-96 home win against the New York Knicks on April 12, 2026.
Before that win, the team faced a tough 118-100 loss to the Detroit Pistons on April 10. They also fell 113-102 to the Boston Celtics on April 8. However, they secured two strong victories prior to that, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 122-108 on April 5 and the Indiana Pacers 129-108 on April 3.
Consistency on defense remains an area for growth as they build toward future seasons. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming matchups on the official schedule page.
Tracing the lineage of a jersey number connects different eras of a franchise. For the Hornets, No. 1 has been worn by players like Tony Delk, Baron Davis, and Cartier Martin. Each player's story adds a layer to the team's identity, from All-Stars to journeymen who fought for their spot.
Martin's story is specifically about perseverance. Going from a 10-day contract to a multi-year NBA career is a blueprint for undrafted players. It shows that opportunity and readiness can combine to create a lasting professional journey.
This look back coincides with a period where the current Hornets are evaluating their roster. Understanding past contributors helps frame the present. The team's recent 110-96 win shows they have the talent to compete, and building a durable roster often involves finding players with Martin's determination.
The focus now shifts to how this season's squad can write its own chapters. With a core of young players and veterans, the Hornets aim to build a winning tradition. The history of jersey No. 1, from Cartier Martin to today, is a small part of that larger narrative.
