Report: Richard Hamilton Is The Next Piston To Have His Number Retired
By: Evan Jankens
@kingofthekc
Yes sir! Former Detroit Pistons guard Richard "Rip" Hamilton was back in Auburn Hills Wednesday night for the ceremony to retire Chauncey Billups' number 1 into the rafters of the Palace of Auburn Hills.
"Rip" spent nine seasons with the Detroit Pistons and was an all-star three times as a member of the team.
According to the Detroit Free Press, "Rip" Hamilton will be the next Piston to have his number retired into the rafters.
No date has been set but Richard Hamilton will be the next Piston from the 2004 NBA championship team to have his jersey retired, No. 32, according to a person with firsthand knowledge of the organization's thinking.
Personally I think this is great news and the fact that Chauncey Billups and Ben Wallace have their numbers in the rafters, Hamilton's belongs as well.
Hamilton was stopped in the hallway during Billups ceremony and was asked if he wanted to have his number retired as well according to the Free Press. "It's not something I played the game for," Hamilton said.
According to Basketball-Reference.com, only Khris Middleton has worn the number 32 since Hamilton left the Pistons in 2011. Billups' number 1 which was retired has been worn by Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady, Andre Drummond and currently Reggie Jackson. Wallace's number 3 has been worn by Rodney Stuckey, Shawne Williams and currently Stanley Johnson.
Unlike Wallace and Billups, Hamilton didn't finish his career with the Detroit Pistons.