Lake City, Utah to play as the Utah Rockies; instead, it's players were dealt in the 1976 ABA dispersal draft. Legacy Professional basketball would return to North Carolina in 1988 when the Charlotte Hornets entered the NBA. Carl Scheer, who won Executive of the Year as a member of the Cougars, would later become the first executive of the NBA's Charlotte Hornets. Cougars point guard Gene Littles would become an assistant coach, an executive, and the second head coach of the Hornets. Larry Brown, who coached the Cougars for two seasons and won Coach of the Year during his tenure, would eventually become the eighth head coach of Charlotte's NBA franchise. Two teams in other professional sports leagues include Carolina in their branding: the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League, and the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League. The former team is based in Charlotte, and the latter team in Raleigh. Beginning in 2012, the Cougars' uniforms were worn by the Bobcats/Hornets under the NBA Hardwood Classics moniker. Franchise records, awards and honors Individual awards Most Valuable Player Billy Cunningham – 1973 Coach of the Year Larry Brown – 1973 Executive of the Year Carl Scheer – 1973 All-ABA First Team Bob Verga – 1970 Billy Cunningham – 1973 Mack Calvin – 1974 All-ABA Second Team Joe Caldwell – 1971 Mack Calvin – 1973 All-Defensive Team Joe Caldwell – 1973 Ted McClain – 1974 All-Rookie Team Dennis Wuycik – 1973 All-Star Game All-Star Selections Doug Moe – 1970 Bob Verga – 1970 Joe Caldwell – 1971, 1973 Wendell Ladner – 1972 Jim McDaniels – 1972 Mack Calvin – 1973, 1974 Billy Cunningham – 1973 Ted McClain – 1974 Basketball Hall of Famers Season-by-season records All-time records References External links Remember the ABA: Carolina Cougars Remember the ABA: Carolina Cougars year-to-year rosters American Basketball Association teams Defunct basketball teams in the United States Defunct companies based in North Carolina Basketball teams in North Carolina Spirits of St. Louis Basketball teams established in 1969 Basketball teams disestablished in 1974