Glen Rice
"The Jet" delivered All-Star brilliance and record-breaking third-quarter runs to the original Hornets franchise.
Glen Rice arrived in Charlotte just days before the start of the 1995–96 season, joining a team eager to build around high-scoring talent. Traded from Miami alongside Matt Geiger for Alonzo Mourning, Rice immediately became the Hornets' primary offensive weapon. He averaged 21.6 points per game that first season, leading the squad in scoring while also topping the roster in three-pointers made (171) and shooting percentage (42%). Although the team fell short of the playoffs that year, Rice's presence signaled a new era of elite perimeter scoring for Charlotte.
- Role
- Small Forward
- Draft Year
- 1989
- Team Affiliation
- Charlotte Hornets (Original)
- All-Star Selections
- 1996, 1997, 1998
- Special Award
- Three-Point Contest Champion
- Status
- Retired
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Rice's tenure with the Hornets peaked during the 1996–97 season, transforming him into an elite league-wide scorer. After the team acquired veterans Vlade Divac and Anthony Mason, Rice averaged a career-high 26.8 points per game, finishing third in the NBA while leading the league in three-point shooting at 47%. His performance on the court earned him his second consecutive All-Star selection, where he etched his name into history. At the 1997 NBA All-Star Game, Rice set individual records for most points in a single quarter (20) and most points in a half (24), breaking marks held by Hal Greer and Wilt Chamberlain respectively. His 8-of-11 shooting performance, including 4-of-5 from deep, helped the Eastern Conference secure victory and earned him the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award. The Hornets won 54 games that season, reaching the playoffs before being swept by the New York Knicks.
In Their Own Story
The 1997 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland became the defining moment of Rice's time with Charlotte. As the Eastern Conference guard, he found himself in a rhythm no one could stop. In the third quarter alone, he poured in 20 points, shattering Hal Greer's record set in 1968. He followed that surge by scoring 24 points in the second half, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain and Tom Chambers for the most points ever recorded in a single All-Star half. Finishing with 26 total points on efficient 8-of-11 shooting, Rice captivated the crowd and the league. His performance was so dominant it was later listed among the NBA's 57 Memorable All-Star Moments. This night cemented his status not just as a Charlotte star, but as one of the premier shooters in basketball history.
Reader's Guide
During his four-year stint with the Hornets (1995–1999), Glen Rice established himself as a statistical powerhouse. In the 1997–98 season, he averaged 22.3 points per game, finishing eighth in the league and playing second-most minutes of any player. The team won 51 games, securing a playoff berth where they defeated the Atlanta Hawks in the first round before falling to the Chicago Bulls. Rice also scored 16 points in the 1998 NBA All-Star Game. His tenure ended abruptly on March 10, 1999, when he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers amid a league lockout and internal turmoil, including the resignation of head coach Dave Cowens and injuries to key teammates.
Did You Know?
- Rice set an NBA All-Star Game record with 20 points in a single quarter during the 1997 game.
- He led the league in three-point shooting percentage (47%) and minutes played during the 1996–97 season.
- On March 10, 1999, the Hornets traded Rice to the Los Angeles Lakers for Eddie Jones and Elden Campbell.
- Rice won the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award in 1997 after breaking records for points in a quarter and a half.
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