Busy Day for Men’s Basketball in Fertitta Center on Saturday

HOUSTON – Saturday will be a busy day in Fertitta Center, and Cougar fans are invited to join the fun.

As the #6/5 Cougars prepare to play host to Big 12 Conference rival Texas Tech at 5 p.m., Saturday, fans should note a pair of special events around the game.

In honor of a lifetime representing Houston Men's Basketball and the University of Houston at the highest level, Don Chaney's #24 jersey will be retired to hang in Fertitta Center forever.

Chaney's banner will be unveiled in a halftime ceremony, and all fans are encouraged to stay in their seats for this special presentation.

That's not the only special event at Saturday's game.

Paying homage to the city of Houston, the 2024-25 Cougars will don their new Houston Blue uniforms for the first time against the Red Raiders.

ABOUT DON CHANEY
For his award-winning careers with both University of Houston Men's Basketball and the NBA and for his legacy as a courageous trailblazer, Chaney will receive the team's highest honor.

Chaney will join center Elvin Hayes (#44), guard Otis Birdsong (#10), guard Clyde Drexler (#22), center Hakeem Olajuwon (#34) and forward Michael Young (#42) as the only Cougars to have their jersey numbers retired. Head Coach Guy V. Lewis and UH alum and CBS Sports broadcasting great Jim Nantz also are recognized with banners hanging in Fertitta Center.

AS a HOUSTON COUGAR
A native of Baton Rouge, La., and product of McKinley High School, Chaney joined the Cougars under Lewis in the fall of 1964 during a time of civil unrest in the nation.

With his Men's Basketball teammate Elvin Hayes, Chaney joined with Football running back Warren McVea as the first African-American student-athletes on the UH campus and among the first in the South.

While not able to compete as a freshman in 1964-65 due to existing NCAA rules, Chaney began play as a sophomore during the 1965-66 season and helped establish the Cougars as of the nation's elite programs.

Over three years, Chaney's Houston teams posted an 81-12 record with three straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including the program's first trips to the NCAA Final Four in 1966 and 1967.

Serving as a team captain for the 1967-68 team, Chaney guided one of the greatest teams in college basketball history. The Cougars won their first 31 games en route to their second straight NCAA Final Four appearance.

Along the way, the second-ranked Cougars faced #1 UCLA inside the Houston Astrodome in front of more than 52,000 fans in the Game of the Century, an event that was shown across the nation and revolutionized the way college basketball was seen.

Chaney averaged 13.0 points and a career-high 5.8 rebounds per game on the way to being named to the All-America Third Team and joined the Cougars' 1,000-Point Club with 1,133 points.

Chaney was twice recognized as an NCAA Tournament All-Regional Team member and USBWA All-District and NABC selections.

PROFESSIONAL CAREER
Following the 1967-68 season, Chaney was taken with the No. 12 overall pick in the First Round of the NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics to begin an 11-year NBA career with the Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. He was a member of two NBA world championship teams with the Celtics in 1969 and 1974.

During his NBA career, Chaney was named to the league's All-Defensive Second Team five times.

When his playing career was over, Chaney stepped into the coaching ranks to begin a 22-year career at that level with nine seasons as a head coach with the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks.

Chaney led the Rockets during the 1990-91 season and guided the team to a 14-1 record in March on the way to a 52-30 record, the franchise's first 50-win season in five seasons. For his and his team's impressive efforts, Chaney was named the 1991 NBA Coach of the Year.

In addition to his NBA experience, Chaney was an assistant coach on the US National Team, which won the gold medal at the 1994 FIBA World Championship in Toronto, winning every game by 15+ points.

He received the Athletics Department's highest honor when he was named to its Hall of Honor in 1981 and was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.

Enjoying life in retirement with his wife, Jackie, Chaney earned the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Houston Alumni Association in 2024.

Emanuel Sharp, J'Wan Roberts, Milos Uzan, Houston Blue

Emanuel Sharp, J'Wan Roberts, Milos Uzan, Houston Blue

ABOUT HOUSTON BLUE
University of Houston Athletics, in paying homage to the City of Houston, adopted Houston Blue into its uniform selections with teams wearing commemorative uniforms on select occasions against an in-state rival.

In the fall, Houston Football sported Houston Blue uniforms against in-state rival Baylor inside TDECU Stadium. Houston Volleyball unveiled its new Houston Blue jerseys against Texas Tech while Houston Women's Golf wore its colors early in its Fall season.

HOUSTON BLUE MERCHANDISE
Houston Blue merchandise went on sale inside the UH Team Shop inside Fertitta Center immediately after Wednesday's announcement.

Fans can find merchandise in person and online through the University of Houston Bookstore. Apparel also is available at Houston-area Academy Sports + Outdoors, DICK'S Sporting Goods, Rally House as well as in the Fertitta Center Team Shop on game days.

Fans can also find the merchandise at Fanatics (e-commerce only). For more information on officially licensed retailers and points of sale, visit uh.edu/houston-blue.

The Houston Blue collection available at retailers includes replica jerseys, mini helmets, men's and women's short and long-sleeve t-shirts, hats, polos, hoodies, ¼ zips and clear stadium bags.

HOUSTON BLUE in the BAYOU CITY
Houston Blue's history in the Bayou City includes a decorated history inside – and outside – the sports arena.

In the early 1920s, the City of Houston's original street markers were installed as light blue, and white tiles were fitted into drying cement curbs, with approximately 4,000 still in existence today.

In the 1960s, the Houston Police Department began using the color on their cars.

The Houston Buffs, the city's minor league baseball team (eventually replaced by the Colt .45s in 1962), sported blue lettering on white or gray jerseys. In 1960, the team wore blue caps with a white "H" on the front. In 1961, their jerseys featured light blue lettering.

Houston Blue, Milos Uzan, Blue Out Game

UP NEXT
• Following Saturday's game, Houston continues its homestand as it meets Oklahoma State for the second time this season at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4, inside Fertitta Center. That game will air on ESPN+.
• The Cougars opened their 2024-25 Big 12 season with a 60-47 win over the Cowboys in Stillwater, Okla., on Dec. 30, 2024.
• From there, Houston meets Colorado for the first time as Big 12 rivals inside CU Events Center in Boulder, Colo., at 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 8. That game will air on ESPN+.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.

BUY 2024-25 TICKETS
Non-season ticket holders interested in purchasing season tickets are invited to place their names on the Season Ticket Wait List by clicking here.

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Men's Basketball by supporting Linking Coogs – UH's NIL collective – and by joining the 50-50 Club, which provides financial support directly to Houston Men's Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.

Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered Jordan Brand team apparel, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.

STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.

– UHCougars.com –

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