Arizona Athletics to Retire Mike Bibby's Jersey
The University of Arizona department of intercollegiate athletics will retire the jersey worn by former All-American and 1997 national Freshman-of-the-Year Mike Bibby in a ceremony scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 11.
The ceremony will take place about 30 minutes after the end of the Arizona vs. Sonoma State men's basketball exhibition game. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. in McKale Center.
"We are very happy that Mike's professional schedule allowed for us to recognize him this year," said UA Athletics Director Jim Livengood. "He certainly is a worthy recipient of this honor."
Bibby, a 6-foot-1 point guard from Phoenix, played for the Wildcats from 1996-98. He was a consensus All-America, Pac-10 Player of the Year, all-Pac-10, all-NABC District 15 and team MVP in 1997-98. Bibby still ranks in the top 10 in five different statistical categories, including career 3-point field goals made (10th/144), 3-point field goal attempts (10th/369), steals (8th/164), games started (8th/35), single-season assists (6th/199) and single-season steals (1st/87).
Bibby burst onto the college basketball scene in 1996-97, earning a number of individual accolades, including national Freshman of the Year, all-Final Four, all-Southeast Regional and Pac-10 Freshman of the Year. He scored 603 points during his sophomore season in 1997-98 to become just the fifth player in school history to amass 1,000 career points in just two seasons.
The highest-drafted player in school history, Bibby was the second overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies. He is set to begin his fourth season with the Sacramento Kings.
Based on department policy, only student-athletes who were recognized as national athletes of the year, or received a major national "athlete of the year" honor are eligible for their jersey to be retired. Numbers are not retired, only the jersey is retired.
Bibby, who wore No. 10 as a Wildcat, joins Sean Elliott (1985-89) and Steve Kerr (1983-88) as the only University of Arizona men's basketball players to have their jerseys retired.
For more information regarding the presentation, please contact Phoebe Chalk or Jill Hall in the Community Relations Office at 520-621-2331.
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