Tagged: Basketball

Charlotte's NBA franchise has begun the journey toward re-embracing the past.  Bobcats owner Michael Jordan announced Tuesday that his team is on its way to being known as the Charlotte Hornets.

Jordan said he has informed the league of his decision and feels the NBA's Board of Governors will approve the name change when they convene in July.  He says this is only the first step.

Eleven new members are set to join the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.  Thursday night's induction ceremony and banquet marks the museum's 50th anniversary. 

Hall of Fame executive director Don Fish says the class of 2013 includes hockey legend Ron Francis, who retired a year before the Carolina Hurricanes won their first and only championship.

"It changed the face of sports in North Carolina," Fish says.

Natalie Diaz grew up on the Fort Mojave Indian Reservation. While many of those around her struggled with the lack of opportunities, she saw basketball as her way out.

The Duke women's basketball team has made it to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament.  The Blue Devils defeated Nebraska last night, 53-45, despite shooting just 33 percent from the field. Coach Joanne McCallie says her team offset that by holding Nebraska to just 30 percent.

“We play very good defense and we did today,” said McCallie.  “I think that was the difference for our team.  Some of the stops we made, I thought, were very critical.  To hold a Nebraska team to 45 points, that's a very good thing for us to do.”