The Hornets announced early Friday morning that President of Basketball Operations ROD HIGGINS stepped down, effective immediately. Hornets GM RICH CHO will remain in his capacity and assume responsibility for the team's basketball operations. The team issued a press release announcing the move at 12:21am ET, shortly after Game 4 of the NBA Finals ended (THE DAILY). In Charlotte, Rick Bonnell cites a source as saying that Higgins "was offered a contract but he chose not to accept it." It is "unclear whether the contract was for a change in job responsibilities." Higgins, was a teammate of team Owner MICHAEL JORDAN when they played for the Bulls in the late '80s, worked with Jordan when the HOFer "ran basketball operations" for the Wizards. Higgins joined the Hornets franchise in '07 after serving as Warriors GM (CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.com, 6/13). Also in Charlotte, Jen Wilson reports Higgins' departure comes when the team is "riding high." After the team was officially renamed the Hornets last month, reports have noted that the franchise's value "is way up, and the buzz around town indicates the Queen City is once again pumped about its NBA team" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 6/13).
