Spencer Haywood's No. 24 jersey was retired and lifted to the rafters of KeyArena Monday in a special ceremony presented by KeyBank at halftime of the Sonics win over Portland. Joined on the court by all five other Sonics who have had their numbers retired, Haywood thanked Sonics fans an the organization for "Welcoming me back home." After finishing his speech, Haywood pulled a cord to lift all six jerseys high above the KeyArena floor.
Before having his jersey retired, Haywood was presented by the Sonics organization with a set of golf clubs, a Rolex watch and a framed jersey. He was also feted throughout the night by video messages from former Sonics teammates Lenny Wilkens, Fred Brown and Slick Watts and NBA stars including Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant.
Haywood waited more than 31 years to receive the ultimate honor a team can bestow upon a player and soaked in the moment.
During the Sonics & Storm Legends Tour, Spencer Haywood sat down with David Locke for an extended interview recalling his Sonics career. Click here to listen!
HAYWOOD FACTS
1971. Year that Haywood won a landmark Supreme Court case which allowed college players to leave school early to play in the NBA.
2. Number of players in Sonics’ history, including Haywood, who were named first-team All-NBA twice (the other is Gary Payton). He also made the All-NBA second team twice.
5. Individual single-season Sonics records still held by Haywood. They include scoring average (29.2 in 1972-73), field goals made (889 in 1972-73), field goals attempted (1,868 in 1972-73) rebound average (13.4 in 1973-74) and average minutes played (43.4 in 1971-72).
16. Times in Haywood’s Seattle career that he scored at least 20 points and grabbed at least 20 points in the same game, a franchise record.
Haywood, Sonics Made History
Just to be able to put on a Sonics jersey, Spencer Haywood had to wage a legal battle all the way to the Supreme Court.
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Barth, Wilkens Played Role
Danny Barth and Lenny Wilkens were two key players behind the scenes in the process of the retirement of No. 24.
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Spencer Haywood By the Numbers
Spencer Haywood put up incredible numbers during his Sonics career. Take a look at some of the biggest and most powerful.
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