Skip to main content

Watch: Russ Smith Gets His No. 2 Jersey Retired

The former consensus All-American had his jersey retired at halftime of Saturday's game against Notre Dame
Watch: Russ Smith Gets His No. 2 Jersey Retired
Watch: Russ Smith Gets His No. 2 Jersey Retired

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - There will never be another No. 2.

During halftime of Louisville's game against Notre Dame, former guard Russ Smith was permanently etched in Cardinals lore, and had his No. 2 jersey officially retired by the school. He joins Charlie Tyra, Wes Unseld, Darrell Griffith and Pervis Ellison as the only other players in Louisville men's basketball history to have his number retired.

Known as "Russdiculous" for his wild and reckless playstyle, the 6-foot-0 shooting guard is Louisville’s fifth all-time leading scorer with 1,908 points, and is the Cardinals' career leader in steals with 257. He is also second in career free throws made with 488, and is tied for ninth in career three-pointers with 180.

The Brooklyn, N.Y. native helped lead the Cardinals to the 2013 national championship - their third in school history - averaging 18.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.1 steals as a junior that year. His 2013-14 senior season was his best in a Louisville uniform, putting up 18.2 points, 4.6 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game, and was named a consensus First Team All-American for his efforts.

You can watch the halftime jersey retirement ceremony in its entirety below, which includes numerous tribute videos from former Louisville teammates and coaches - including Rick Pitino - the unveiling of his name and retired number in the rafter of the KFC Yum! Center, and a speech from Smith himself:

We also have provided a photo gallery from the ceremony, courtesy of Louisville Report's Cindy Rice Shelton:

Video:

Gallery:

(Photo of Russ Smith: Kim Klement - USA TODAY Sports)

You can follow Louisville Report for future coverage by liking us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram:

Facebook - @LouisvilleOnSI
Twitter - @LouisvilleOnSI
Instagram - @louisville_report

You can also follow Deputy Editor Matthew McGavic at @Matt_McGavic on Twitter

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations


Published
Matthew McGavic
MATTHEW MCGAVIC

McGavic is a 2016 Sport Administration graduate of the University of Louisville, and a native of the Derby City. He has been covering the Cardinals in various capacities since 2017, with a brief stop in Atlanta, Ga. on the Georgia Tech beat. Also an avid video gamer, a bourbon enthusiast, and fierce dog lover. Find him on Twitter at @Matt_McGavic