The University of Louisville Men’s Basketball program will retire Russ Smith’s number 2 on Saturday in a ceremony at halftime of the matchup with Notre Dame at 4:00 p.m. ET at the KFC Yum! Center.
Smith joins Charlie Tyra, Wes Unseld, Darrell Griffith and Pervis Ellison as just the fifth Cardinal to have his number hanging in the rafters.
Remembering #RUS2.
Saturday, @Specter_Smit goes 𝗧𝘄𝗼 The Rafters. pic.twitter.com/uqcEIv9SA3
— Louisville Basketball (@LouisvilleMBB) January 22, 2022
A special Russ logo will be on the court in front of the scorers table during the game.
Ready for #RUS2.@Specter_Smit pic.twitter.com/Ar5oQt91op
— Louisville Basketball (@LouisvilleMBB) January 20, 2022
The first 8,500 fans in attendance will receive a free Russ Smith poster. Students in section 111 will receive free custom decals and t-shirts.
Who's ready to celebrate @Specter_Smit?!?
From posters for the first 8,500 fans to custom court decals & t-shirts for all @uofl students in section 111, get all the details on tomorrow's festivities: https://t.co/xqaYtLMzFY#GoCards x #RUS2 pic.twitter.com/HnzG17O6iR
— Louisville Athletics (@GoCards) January 21, 2022
Russ joined the media on Friday afternoon for a brief press conference ahead of his big day.
Russ’ Thank You to Louisville:
2️⃣: Louisville
From: #RUS2 pic.twitter.com/flMZTsMD8d
— Louisville Basketball (@LouisvilleMBB) January 22, 2022
Russ Smith is a Louisville legend. He was the best player in college basketball for a two year stretch in 2013 and 2014. The best player this program has seen over the past 30 years will rightfully have his number retired on Saturday.
Russ is by no means underrated, but here are some of his career accomplishments that might put into perspective just how special he was as a player:
- The only Louisville player in history with 1,800 career points, 350 assists and 250 steals
- Louisville’s fifth all time leading scorer (1,908 points)
- One of two Louisville players to score 600 points in back-to-back seasons
- Two-time All American (2013,2014)
- 2014 consensus All American
- 2013 and 2014 KenPom Player of the Year (the only two-time recipient in the history of the award)
- 2013 NCAA Midwest Regional Most Outstanding Player
- 2014 AAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player
- Two Regular Season Conference Championships
- Three Conference Tournament Championships
- Four NCAA Tournament Appearances
- Three Sweet 16 Appearances
- Two Final Four Appearances
- 2013 National Champion
Thank You, Russ.
