This coming Saturday, January 22nd, Louisville men’s basketball will officially retire Russ Smith’s number 2. Smith’s number will join Charlie Tyra’s number 8, Wes Unseld’s number 31, Darrell Griffith’s number 35, and Pervis Ellison’s number 42. Louisville Athletics announced more details about the Jersey retirement.
Russ Being 𝗥𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗼𝘂𝘀: 12.04.12
— Louisville Athletics (@GoCards) January 19, 2022
"That's just great instinct. That's just being a baller, man."
Talking favorite @Specter_Smit moments with Darrell Griffith & @KKcards.#GoCards pic.twitter.com/pJ6h4zzVY4
Smith will be in attendance for the half time ceremony. UofL announced what they termed “multiple in-venue activations” that will be released on social media throughout the week. The first 8500 fans through the KFC Yum! Center’s doors will receive a commemorative poster of Russdiculous. T-shirts will also be given to students in the student section.
The consensus First-Team All-American is one of the most beloved Cardinals of all time and Russ will join other beloved Cardinals in the Yum Center rafters. UofL will now have 5 retired numbers. The players represented by those numbers would be an all-time great starting 5 in all of college athletics.
To read all the details about the ceremony, check out the press release below by clicking the link in the tweet:
8️⃣
— Louisville Basketball (@LouisvilleMBB) January 18, 2022
3️⃣1️⃣
3️⃣5️⃣
4️⃣2️⃣
Next: 2️⃣
https://t.co/GfbQaxfxbQ
