The Houston Rockets they will withdraw the shirt n.44 from Elvin Hayesthe prima superstar in the history of the franchise, as well as one of the most influential and long-lived players for the city of Houston. The date chosen for the retirement of the jersey is November 18, when the Rockets will challenge the Indiana Pacers.
Perhaps less well known than other basketball legends, Elvin Hayes made himself known since his college days atUniversity of Houston. With the Cougars he played four seasons closed at 31.0 points e 17.2 rebounds average. The Rockets, at the time resided in San Diego and not in Houston as today, chose it with the number one in the 1968 draft. The first year among the professionals, Hayes finished it well 28.4 points e 17.1 reboundsat the helm of the league as the best scorer.
In his career, it was 12 volte all-star, 6 times all-NBA2 volte All-Defensive, NBA champion in 1978 (with Washington), and it is among the best 75 ever (he had already been named in the top 50 in 1996). In his career, over the course of 16 years, he has traveled at 21.0 points and 12.5 rebounds, however, perhaps the most surprising is that never played less than 80 games in a single season. The “least” number of extras of him dates back to the 1975/76 season, when he played 80, but otherwise he has always played 81 or 82.
Not by chance, Hayes has only missed 9 races in his careera fact that once again underlines its longevity and resistance. “We are thrilled to celebrate Elvin Hayes’ stellar career by retiring his jersey“Declared the owner of the Rockets Tilman Fertitta. “Elvin was the first superstar here in Houston and has an everlasting connection not only with the Rockets but also with the university. It’s fantastic to be able to see her shirt hanging where it belongs, surrounded by the remaining legends of this franchise ”.
Hayes will join Hakeem Olajuwon, Moses Malone, Yao Ming, Clyde Drexler, Rudy Tomjanovich, and Calvin Murphy, as the only ones to have seen their jersey retired from the Houston Rockets. For Hayes, the ceremony will not be new: in fact, the Washington Wizards have already withdrawn his number 11. Hayes played for the Bullets from 1972 to 1981, moving from Baltimore to Washington, and is one of the few in NBA history to have his number retired by more than one team.
In the end, Elvin Hayes has been a member of the Hall of Fame since 1990. “Representing the city of Houston has played a pivotal role in my life“, Reported the former Rockets star,”It is an honor to know that my number will be picked up and hung there, along with the other Rockets legends. My thanks clearly go to Tilman and the Fertitta family, as well as the organization and the fans for the support they have shown me throughout my career. I can’t wait to be able to celebrate all this in November ”.
On the occasion of the retirement of Hayes’ shirt, the Rockets also announced the classic kits for next season, directly inspired by the green ones of the San Diego Rockets.
