Detroit Piston’s to retire Dennis Rodman's number 10 jersey
The Detroit Pistons have decided to retire Dennis ‘The Worm’ Rodman’s number 10 jersey during a half-time ceremony on 1 April. The Palace of Auburn Hills will be the venue for the all-important ceremony, as the Pistons take on the Chicago Bulls on Friday
night.
Joe Dumars, President of Basketball Operations for the Pistons said, "I am pleased that we are honouring Dennis for his accomplishments as a player and his contributions to the success of the organisation… His jersey retirement is well deserved."
Dennis Rodman was drafted by the Pistons in the 1986 NBA Draft and was a key component in the Piston’s 1989 and 1990 championship winning teams. He was revered for his strong rebounding abilities and his suffocating man-to-man defence. He registered a 54
percent shooting percentage and recorded an average of 8.8 points and 11.5 rebounds during his 549-game stint with the Detroit Pistons.
Rodman was considered the most gifted rebounder to ever play in the league, averaging 18.7 rebounds for the Pistons during the 1991-92 season. He has also been honoured with the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award twice, in 1990 and 1991.
In a statement released by Dennis Rodman through his manager, he said, “Individual accomplishments have never been a big deal for me as a player, but to be honoured for my contributions in this way by the Detroit Pistons organisation is truly humbling, this
organisation gave me a chance to blossom regardless of my size or what school I came from."
Rodman is a five-time NBA Champion. He won twice with the Pistons, and later went on to win another three rings with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls from 1996 to 1998.
Dennis Rodman was officially notified by the Pistons franchise this week, and is expected to reach Detroit on 31 March to meet up with friends before attending the ceremony on Friday.
Rodman would be hoping his jersey retirement is not the only good news given to him lately, as he and his agent Darren Prince are also expecting an announcement to confirm his induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame. He is part of a shortlist that includes
Reggie Miller, Don Nelson, Bernard King, Chris Mullin, Rudy Tomjanovich, Spencer Haywood and Jim Valvano.
"We'll find out next week if he's a finalist," said Prince.
In a total of 911 games during his 14 seasons in the NBA, Rodman scored 6,683 points and pulled down 11,954 rebounds, averaging 7.3 points and 13.1 boards in 31.7 minutes of play. His bizarre hair-dos and tattoo covered body made him one of the most recognisable
NBA athletes in the world.
The inductees to the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame will be announced at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament Final Four in Houston from 2-4 April.
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