'It's An Honor': Rockets Retire Elvin Hayes No. 44 Jersey Friday Night
HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets retired No. 44 in honor of basketball Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes. The Rockets honored Hayes during halftime of their home match against the Indiana Pacers on Friday night.
The game inside the Toyota Center also marked the debut of the Rockets' San Diego hardwood classic jerseys.
"It's an honor for me to be presented with something I never thought I would receive," Hayes said. "I have received many honors in the game of basketball. But this one is great because it's in Houston."
Hayes became the seventh player to have his number retired by the Rockets. Other prominent players in history whose numbers have been retired are Clyde Drexler, Moses Malone, Calvin Murphy, Hakeem Olajuwon, Rudy Tomjanovich, and Yao Ming.
"It's a great honor and an opportunity for me to have this night," Hayes said. "I want to thank Mr. Fertitta. This is truly a great honor."
The then-San Diego Rockets drafted Hayes with the top overall selection during the 1968 NBA Draft. He averaged a league-best 28.4 points during his first season and still holds the record as the last rookie prospect to lead the NBA in scoring.
Hayes was the Rockets leading scorer and rebounder during the franchise's inaugural season in Houston during the 1971-72 campaign. Across his first four seasons, Hayes averaged 27.4 points and 16.3 rebounds for the Rockets.
Hayes is a member of both the NBA 50th and 75th Anniversary Team. He currently ranks fifth all-time in Rockets history for points (11,762) and rebounds (6,974).
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