76ers to retire Malone's No. 2 jersey, unveil statue honoring late icon
The Philadelphia 76ers will honor late Hall of Fame big man Moses Malone during their matchup against the Denver Nuggets on Feb. 8, the team announced Friday.
Malone, who powered the team to its most recent title in his first season with the organization, will also have a statue unveiled on the "76ers Legends Walk."
"He was such a pivotal force in the 76ers’ championship run in 1983, where he earned both NBA MVP and NBA Finals MVP honors," said 76ers president of business operations Chris Heck. "He is an NBA icon, a 76ers all-time great and we’re thrilled to be able to celebrate his accomplishments by retiring his number and unveiling his sculpture on '76ers Legends Walk' in February. Our fans deserve to have this special moment to honor and recognize a player who paved the way for so many future 76ers."
The all-timer, dubbed, "Chairman of the Boards," first played with the team from 1982-86, averaging 23.9 points, 13.4 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and a steal per game, earning All-Star honors each year. Malone later returned to the organization at age 38 for his penultimate season in 1993-94.
In 1998, the Houston Rockets retired his No. 24 jersey that he wore with the team from 1976-82. He was enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001.
He passed away in 2015 at age 60 due to cardiovascular disease.