The NBA league office issued a statement on Bonnell's passing saying, "The NBA family is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Rick Bonnell, a devoted NBA reporter who began covering the Charlotte Hornets in their inaugural season more than 30 years ago."
Winner will be selected by a panel consisting of Hornets staff members, former colleagues at the Observer and as well as Bonnell’s children, Jack and Claire.
"My thing is, he ain't happy with that, but he ain't going to show that," LaVar Ball told TMZ Sports. "If I train you to be the best and always have been starting all your life here is what they don't get. My boys are not freakin' role players. They are superstars! Let them do what they do."