Hugo
NC
Category: Arts & Culture
Award: Mascot in 2018
Year Won: 2018
Pick: Editor's Pick
We hear your catcalls for Sir Purr. And your pitches for Homer. And, yeah, Chubby weighs on our minds, too. But Hugo is the queen bee of Charlotte’s mascots. Cheryl Henson, daughter of Jim Henson, created Hugo in 1988 when the Hornets became the city’s first major professional franchise. He can do it all. Case in point: In September 2016, Hugo lined up in a mascot challenge during halftime of a Panthers game. He took a screen pass from Sir Purr near midfield, then darted through a zoo of defenders, past the outstretched arms of the Clemson Tiger and the Virginia Tech Hokie, for a 50-yard touchdown. Not bad for a basketball bee. nba.com/hornets