Emeka Okafor will join them in the rafters on Wednesday night.
After earning a hard-fought win against Georgetown on Saturday, the University of Connecticut men's basketball team is back home again on Wednesday night to take on Creighton.
The Huskies, who moved up to No. 5 in the nation on Monday, are 24-2 overall and 14-1 inside Big East play.
Despite a recent loss to St. John's and some additional close calls, the Huskies look like a national championship contender once again. Dan Hurley's group has won two of the last three titles.
But Wednesday night's contest is special for more reasons than just a game against a Big East rival. At halftime, the Huskies will honor former star Emeka Okafor, who is having his No. 50 retired.
About Okafor in college
Okafor spent three years in Storrs, starting all 103 games he ever appeared in. He averaged 13.8 ppg for his career while also pulling down 10.6 rebounds.
He led the Big East in blocks all three seasons and led in rebounding twice. He was a first-team All-American in his junior year, also leading Connecticut to the national championship that season. He shot 59 percent from the floor.
In addition to being a champion and an All-American, he was a three-time All-Big East selection and a two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year. He became the No. 2 pick in the 2004 NBA Draft.
About Okafor in the pros
A 10-year veteran of the Charlotte and New Orleans Hornets, Washington Wizards and New Orleans Pelicans, Okafor averaged 12.0 ppg and 9.7 rebounds. He was a member of the All-Rookie team in 2004-05, also winning Rookie of the Year in that campaign.
Okafor played 65 games or more in seven of his 10 seasons, but injuries took their toll eventually. He did not play at all from 2013-2016, but came back in 2017-18 to play 26 games for the Pelicans.
He finished 11th in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2006-07. Amazingly enough, Okafor never attempted a three-point shot in the NBA.
What other Huskies have their numbers retired?
On the men's side, it's Ray Allen and Richard Hamilton. Allen played three years in Storrs, averaging 19.0 ppg and six rebounds. A two-time All-Big East selection, he was also a consensus All-American in 1995-96.
Hamilton won the national title in 1998-99, earning two All-America selections and two Big East Player of the Year awards. He averaged 19.8 ppg and 4.5 rebounds.
On the women's side, it's Sue Bird, Rebecca Lobo and Swin Cash. Bird just got her number 10 retired earlier this season. She was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025.
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