HUSKIES TO RETIRE RIP HAMILTON'S NO. 32 ON FEB. 24
STORRS – The UConn men's basketball team has announced that the No. 32 will hang forever in the rafters at Gampel Pavilion. The Huskies are retiring the number of the legendary Richard "Rip" Hamilton at halftime of the game against Villanova on Feb. 24. He joins Ray Allen (No. 34) as the only men's basketball players to have their numbers living in the Gampel rafters.
Richard "Rip" Hamilton had one of the most decorated careers in UConn basketball history.
Despite playing only three seasons before heading for the NBA, Hamilton scored 2,036 career points, second only to Chris Smith (2,145) on the all-time UConn scoring list as the only two players in UConn history with more than 2,000 points. Hamilton led the Huskies in scoring in each of his three seasons and his career scoring average (19.8) ranks third all-time. His 19.7 career scoring average in BIG EAST games is the highest of any Husky who played over 10 BIG EAST games.
Hamilton's list of awards earned is topped by being named a two-time All-American (1998, 1999). He is one of only six players to win multiple BIG EAST Player of the Year awards (1998, 1999). Leading the Huskies to their first NCAA National Championship in 1999, Hamilton set a UConn record with 145 points in the six games and was named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four as well as Most Outstanding Player of the West Regional. He was also an All-Tournament selection in the 1998 East Regional.
The Huskies won a pair of BIG EAST Tournaments with Hamilton at the helm, taking the conference tournament crown in 1998 and 1999 and the regular season title in both seasons as well. The 1998-99 team is still the lone team in UConn history to win the regular season title and a national championship in the same season.
Hamilton was an All-BIG EAST Tournament selection in both 1998 and 1999, a NIT All-Tournament selection in 1997, a First Team All-BIG EAST pick in 1998 and 1999, and a BIG EAST-All-Rookie Team pick in 1997. He was inducted as one of the original members of the Huskies of Honor and was named to the UConn All-Century Team, picked in 2001.
Hamilton owns the UConn records for most total points scored in all NCAA Tournaments (235) and most points scored in a single NCAA Tournament (145). His 12 games of 30-points or more rank second all-time at UConn.
The Coatesville, Pa., native was picked No. 7 overall in the 1999 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards and had a 14-year NBA career with the Wizards, Pistons and Bulls. He was a three-time NBA All-Star and won an NBA Championship with the Pistons in 2003-04.
Tip time for the contest on Feb. 24 is set for 8 p.m. with the game airing on FOX.
After one of the most decorated careers in program history, UConn Men's Basketball will be retiring the No. 32 for the legendary Richard "Rip" Hamilton.
Despite only playing 3 seasons in Storrs, Rip is the second leading scorer in UConn history, a two-time All-American, two-time BIG EAST Player of the Year, and 1999 Final Four MOP.
No. 32 will join Ray Allen's No. 34 in the Gampel rafters at halftime of the game against Villanova on Feb. 24th.
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