CHARLOTTE - 3,500 Charlotte middle schoolers got a finance lesson Tuesday with a little help from the Charlotte Hornets.
The Hornets teamed up with MassMutual for the company's FutureSmart challenge, which has reached 30,000 kids at NBA arenas across the country.
Students learned the difference between spending money on wants and needs and how to start saving money early.
"When it comes to money, people just think about what they want to buy, but it ensures a better life for you and your family,” Quail Hollow Middle student Ryan Chisolm said.
The lesson was taught by actor and author Hill Harper, and even the Hornets’ mascot Hugo made an appearance.
Organizers hoped the excitement of the Hornets would help students get excited about their financial futures.