NBA STANDOUT DAVID WEST HAS HIGH SCHOOL JERSEY RETIRED
GARNER — David West made an unexpected visit to Garner recently, according to Tim Stevens of the Raleigh News and Observer, and the school took advantage of the opportunity to retire his basketball jersey.
Garner has wanted to officially retire the New Orleans Hornet’s high school jersey for years – coach Eddie Gray pulled it from the rotation a few years ago – but West’s NBA schedule had prevented him from getting back home for a ceremony. The school found out he was in town on Thursday morning, and Garner athletic director Doc Harrell pulled out the already framed jersey.
West led Garner to a 23-2 record in 1998. He was the Atlantic 10 Conference player of the year three times at Xavier University, was the Associated Press national college player of the year in 2003 and has played in two NBA All-Star Games.
West is the fifth player in Garner history to have his jersey retired, joining football standouts Anthony Barbour and Eric Williams, former major league baseball player Pat Watkins and former North Carolina basketball star Donald Williams.
