The Hornets are ESPY finalists. Here’s what earned them a chance at the award
As a native North Carolinian, Grant Williams wanted to help and do something to inject a little hope.
The western part of the state had been ravaged by the remnants of Hurricane Helene, torn apart in a way never imagined by one of the worst natural disasters the area had ever experienced. So last fall, one year after the storm ravaged the area, Williams and others from the Charlotte Hornets made the trek through the mountains to assist.
Along with other members of the Hornets’ organization and Mooreseville-based Lowe’s, Williams helped community leaders begin a renovation of the Riverview Community Center in Creston, about 25 miles north of Boone. The full makeover included redoing the gym, basketball court, exercise room and surrounding outdoor spaces.
“It was definitely a difficult time — we were even a couple months after the fact,” Williams told the Charlotte Observer. “But you could tell because people within the community said we are begging to have this rec center back and be able to play with each other again.
“So, it was really cool to be able to go up there. We painted, we did everything possible to make it look good.”
In recognition of those efforts, the Hornets have been named a finalist for ESPN’s Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year. The award spotlights professional teams demonstrating how the power of sport can strengthen communities and create a lasting impact far beyond game results.
Charlotte is one of four finalists for the award, joining the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns and WNBA’s Seattle Storm. The winner will be revealed on Tuesday at Gotham Hall in New York City as a precursor to ESPN’s ESPY Awards on Wednesday.
The restoration of the Riverview Community Center
The Riverview Community Center has been restored as a much-needed hub for the community, allowing residents once again to host youth sports, programs for after school care, senior fitness classes, cultural celebrations and more.
“The community efforts of the Hornets’ organization has shown up for the past two years since they took ownership of the group,” Williams said. “These guys have really given back. And the project that we did in Asheville, I know to most wouldn’t know anything about it, but it changed people’s perception of their life at the time.
“That gym was such a staple in the community. For us to go back and refurbish it, make sure it’s something that’s accessible and utilized, it means the world.”
This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 2:25 PM with the headline "The Hornets are ESPY finalists. Here’s what earned them a chance at the award."
