AUBURN HILLS, Mich.– The Detroit Pistons announced today that the club will honor and retire the jersey for Richard Hamilton during the 2016-17 season. Hamilton will be honored during a halftime ceremony on Sunday, February 26 at 6:00 p.m. when the Pistons host the Boston Celtics at The Palace. Tickets to the game can be purchased here.
“Our franchise has a great legacy and it’s important to recognize the players who made our organization successful both on and off the court,” said Pistons owner Tom Gores. “Rip’s numbers speak for themselves. He was a top performer year in and year out, from the regular season through the playoffs and especially during the championship run of 2004. He was relentless on the court and equally passionate about his teammates and the community. We are excited to honor his success.”
Hamilton spent nine seasons with Detroit (2002-2011) leading the Pistons in scoring during eight of those nine seasons. He is one of just six players in Pistons’ franchise history to reach the 11,000-point plateau and one of five players to score 50-plus points in a game (51 at New York, 12/27/06). During his tenure the club made six consecutive trips to the Eastern Conference Finals (2003-2008), two trips to the NBA Finals (2004, 2005) and won the NBA Championship in 2004. Hamilton was also named an NBA All-Star in three consecutive seasons from 2005-08. In 631 games as a Piston, the Coatesville, PA native averaged 18.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game and ranks sixth in points, free throws made and field goals made, seventh in assists, minutes and three-point field goals made and 10th in games played in franchise history.
“Detroit is where I celebrated the greatest achievements in my pro basketball career and to be recognized by the organization in this way, I’m honored,” said Hamilton. “I look forward to sharing this experience with all the fans who supported me throughout my years as a Piston and look forward to celebrating in The Palace one final time. Yessirr.”
Hamilton was a stalwart in the postseason for Detroit, averaging 20.6 points per game, the fourth-highest playoff average in franchise history, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.0 steals and 40.0 minutes in 120 playoff games with the Pistons. His 2,467 total points, 120 games played, 904 field goals made, 2,051 field goals attempted and 593 free throws made are all Pistons’ franchise playoff records. Overall, Hamilton appeared in 130 career playoff games with Detroit and Chicago, averaging 19.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 38.8 minutes.
A 6’7, 190-pound guard, Hamilton was drafted No. 7 overall in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards and spent time with Washington, Detroit and Chicago during his 14-year career. Of those 14 seasons, he averaged 15-plus points in 10 seasons, including two 20-plus point seasons (20.0, 2001-02; 20.1, 2005-06). Overall, in 921 career NBA games, Hamilton averaged 17.1 points, 3.1 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 0.8 steals in 32.1 minutes per game.
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