CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CAROLINA SPORTS LIVE) — Let’s get this out of the way. Ellis Jackson has never been to Charlotte, much less been to a Hornets game.
“Never,” he says smiling. “And that is something that shocks a lot of people.
That’s because even though he lives in Gloucestershire, England, the 33-year-old has a love for the Buzz that he admits borderlines on obsession. And it all started about 10 years ago, with a gift from his wife’s aunt.
“She actually bought me my first Hornets jersey, which was a Kemba Walker jersey,” he remembers.
He says it was the color that piqued his interest. Then again, he also says it might have been how he felt when he first put it on. Regardless, that one jersey eventually multiplied into a closet full of them.
“It is my guilty pleasure I would say, I love it,” he admits. “It’s something I’m going to continue doing as long as I can afford it.”
As a recruiter he makes a pretty good living, which he says is why he doesn’t mind opening up his wallet. In fact, Jackson estimates he’s spent about $50,000 on his collection. Some of which he wears.
“The replicas!” he says as he goes through his catalog. “The ones you can wear daily without feeling guilty if your daughter gets porridge down them.”
And some he keeps in pristine condition.
“Ricky Pierce, of course!” he cries as he finds the corresponding jersey. “I got two of his 1996-1997 gold logo 50th anniversary, game-worn (jerseys).”
Now after a decade of collecting, Jackson considers himself a real team historian. He’s got it all curated on his social media. That’s actually how we found him.
He’s got jerseys of all the greats like Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning.
And some of the not-so-greats like Johnny Newman.
“Not many people have this,” he says as he holds up Newman’s old No. 22 jersey.
eBay is where he finds most of his stuff. The thrill of the bid keeps him going.
“I think what makes the collection a bit more impressive, is that you try and find Hornets gear in the UK, you’re just not finding it,” he says.
The hunt never ends but one thing is for sure: If he ever makes it to the Spectrum Center, Jackson will be dressed for the occasion.