Hornets add former Boston Celtics trainer as new VP of medical and performance
Add another new name to the Charlotte Hornets’ staff directory, one that coach Charles Lee is already familiar with.
Patrick Chasse has been hired by the Hornets to serve as the new vice president of medical and performance, league sources told The Observer. Chasse spent the last five years with the Boston Celtics — the same franchise Charlotte plucked Lee from a year ago — and most recently held the title of head athletic trainer/physical therapist.
He’s leaving his fingerprints on the Hornets’ offseason routine, which is a necessity for a team featuring two starters -- LaMelo Ball and Josh Green -- who are coming off surgery.
The Hornets are bringing Chasse on board as their VP of medical and performance five months after Trent Salo, who was originally hired into that job last July, shifted to a consultant role. Upon Salo’s full-time departure, the Hornets’ health and performance department remained the same, with no one moving into his former position until Chasse was tabbed as his replacement.
Chasse’s full training staff with the Hornets is still being finalized and won’t be announced until closer to the start of camp in September, sources said.
Who is Patrick Chasse?
Chasse, who also worked with USA baseball, is familiar with the college hoops scene in the Carolinas and has extensive experience in his field. He graduated from Marist College in 2009 and has a degree in athletic training.
He earned his doctorate in physical therapy in 2012 from the University of Hartford, while also serving as an athletic trainer for the University High School of Science and Engineering. He furthered his on-the-job education by spending a few years working in orthopedic sports medicine as a physical therapist and outreach athletic trainer.
That paved the way for Chasse to get to Duke, where he completed the university’s Division I sport physical therapy fellowship. Chasse also worked with the Blue Devils’ women’s basketball team, published research and was part of the school’s Physician Assistant Program.
Working with the Blue Jays, Celtics
Chasse’s first taste of the professional ranks came during his four years with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he was the rehabilitation coordinator from 2017-2018 and medical coordinator from 2019-2020. The Connecticut native then returned to New England to join the Celtics.
Now, he’ll be counted on by the Hornets to elevate the performances of the franchise’s key talent. He’ll also try to reverse a trend that’s propelled Charlotte to be among the leaders in player games missed due to injury since 2021.
The Hornets hope Chasse will bring leadership and championship-level knowledge to ensure the team is properly taking care of their players and help shape their medical vision.
This story was originally published June 23, 2025 at 2:34 PM.
