The New Orleans Hornets monthly Player Spotlight recognizes our team’s leaders both on the court and in the community. This month’s spotlight features the ten Hornets players who have collectively purchased over 6,300 home game tickets for non-profit organizations in the metropolitan area that serve children. Hornets stars participating in the team’s Community Ticket Program during the 2008-2009 season are Hilton Armstrong, Ryan Bowen, Devin Brown, Rasual Butler, Tyson Chandler, Chris Paul, Morris Peterson, Peja Stojakovic, David West and Julian Wright.

At the beginning of the season, players create unique group names for their ticket section in the New Orleans Arena. Some of this season’s groups include “CP3’s Leaders, Team D. West, Bop’s Biddy Ballers, Devin’s Dream Team and Ju Ju Bees.”

“I feel like [hosting a ticket group] is a way to give back,” said Hornets Forward Julian Wright. “I like looking up at my JuJu Bees section during the game- it makes me feel really good.”

For each of the 41 home games throughout the past season, these sections were filled with children of all ages who may not have had the opportunity to enjoy the excitement of a Hornets game in person without the help of the ten players participating in the Community Ticket Program. In addition to receiving free tickets to a game, players also provide their guests with special t-shirts labeled with their group names so that their group can proudly show off who they are representing in the Hive that night.

Not only do these ten Hornets players make attending a Hornets game a reality for thousands of local kids, some even use their ticket groups as incentives to encourage positive lifestyles. Hornets Center Tyson Chandler uses his ticket group as a reward for children participating in his FITSchools Challenge- a program that teaches kids to lead healthy lifestyles through a nutritious diet and regular exercise. Throughout the season, Chandler invited students who met FitSchools Challenge benchmarks to attend and sit in his special player section, “Tyson’s FIT Club,” at Hornets home games.

Hornets Guard Morris Peterson has made it a tradition to meet with his group, “Mo’s Maniacs”, before fifteen home games throughout the season. Peterson invites his group to watch him and his teammates on the court as they prepare for that night’s opponent during pre-game warm-ups. After watching Peterson’s pre-game routine, Mo’s Maniacs have the opportunity to meet him in person, receive autographs and take a commemorative group photograph.

“Growing up, I didn’t have the chance to go to many NBA games; most of the kids that are in ‘Mo’s Maniacs’ have never been,” Peterson said. "I think it’s great that they get to experience a live NBA game- something they’ll never forget."

Non-profit organizations interested in participating should send an email to communitytickets@hornets.com. Please include the name of your organization, a contact name and phone number, a tax exempt number and a brief description of your group.