The Charlotte Hornets are literally building for the future—and the latest milestone is a big one. The final structural beam has been installed at the team's new Novant Health Performance Center, marking a major step forward for the franchise both on and off the court.

Channel 9’s DaShawn Brown was on hand for the ceremony, where Hornets leaders, staff, and construction crews gathered to celebrate the progress. "We’ve gone from kind of a forgotten team without a clear path and culture to a team with a really strong foundation," said Hornets Co-Chairman Gabe Plotkin.

Scheduled to open in spring 2027, the state-of-the-art facility spans more than 160,000 square feet. It will feature training spaces, office areas, retail shops, and an orthopedic and sports medicine clinic open to the public—a game-changer for both players and the Charlotte community.

Head Coach Charles Lee sees the unfinished building as a metaphor for his squad. "I do believe that there is just a process to showing up every day, and kind of like this building, it’s unfinished. And that’s how I feel about our team."

Hornets forward Grant Williams is already eager to get in the doors. "To see it actually manifest is special. It’s been an honor to represent the city and I’m excited to hopefully be one of the first to step into the practice facility. I know I’m going to be spending a lot of time there."

With the team exceeding early expectations this season, Co-Chairman Rick Schnall noted, "We were ahead of expectations. The team came together more quickly. We had expectations that we would be competitive, but from the beginning of the year when we started winning, we were among the best teams in the league."

As the Hornets continue to build their roster—boasting one of the youngest teams in the league and a treasure chest of draft picks—the new practice facility represents more than just bricks and steel. It’s a symbol of a franchise rising from the ashes and setting the stage for a brighter, more competitive era. For fans, it’s a reason to be excited about what’s next.