The Charlotte Hornets announced huge Charles Lee news on Thursday.
Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations Jeff Peterson announced on Thursday that the team has signed head coach Charles Lee to a contract extension.
Lee is 63-101 in the regular season with the Hornets.
“Charles has done an outstanding job establishing a foundation for who we want to be as a team,” Peterson said. “From day one, Charles and his staff have prioritized player development, creating an environment where each of our players are committed to getting better and continue to improve. He has built a team-first culture rooted in accountability, hard work and professionalism. I’m excited to keep working closely with Charles as we continue to build the Hornets for long-term success.”
Lee helped guide the Hornets to a 25-win improvement in his second season as head coach, the largest year-over-year win total improvement in franchise history. Charlotte started the season with a 16-28 record and finished at 44-38, posting a 28-10 record following a huge midseason turnaround.
The Hornets boasted the No. 1 net rating (+10.5) in the NBA since Jan. 1, ranking atop the league in offensive rating (120.7) and fifth in defensive rating (110.2). Charlotte also led the league in rebounding percentage (54.8%), second chance points (19.0) and 3-pointers made per game (17.3) in that stretch, culminating in the team’s first postseason victory since 2016 in front of a record-breaking home crowd in the Play-In Tournament.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue leading this team and building on what we’ve started here in Charlotte,” Lee said. “I want to thank Rick, Gabe and Jeff for their support as well as my coaching staff and the players for their tireless work and dedication. I’m excited about the direction we’re headed and our team’s bright future. Our players have shown a real commitment to growth, and I’m proud of the culture we’re establishing together. We’re just getting started, and I’m looking forward to the work ahead.”
Lee earned his first Eastern Conference Coach of the Month award after the Hornets finished January with an 11-6 record and tied for the highest point differential on the road (+151) in any month in NBA history.
The Hornets ended the month on a six-game winning streak that later extended to a nine-game winning streak, tied for the second-longest in franchise history and the longest since the 1998-99 season. Charlotte set a franchise record with 10-straight road wins and tied an NBA single-season record with eight road wins by 25-plus points.
Lee was named the 12th head coach in franchise history on May 9, 2024. Prior to joining the Hornets, Lee served as an assistant coach for 10 seasons with Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta, winning NBA Championships with the Celtics (2023-24) and the Bucks (2020-21).
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