The MSU men’s basketball program will retire the jersey of former Spartans great Morris Peterson prior to Saturday’s game against Illinois at Breslin Center, MSU Athletic Communications announced Monday.
The ceremony will take place before the game’s 4 p.m. tipoff.
Peterson, who was selected with the 21st pick in the first round of the 2000 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors and currently plays for the New Orleans Hornets, was part of the 2000 National Championship team and also earned both All-America and Big Ten Player of the Year honors as a senior during the 1999-2000 season.
Peterson ranks 10th on MSU’s all-time scoring list with 1,588 points, eighth with 146 three-pointers made and fourth with 137 starts. During his time in East Lansing, the Spartans won three straight Big Ten Championships, two Big Ten Tournament titles and made two Final Fours along with the 2000 National Championship.
Peterson will become the ninth player in MSU history to have his jersey hung from the rafters, joining Scott Skiles, Steve Smith, Johnny Green, Shawn Respert, Jay Vincent, Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Mateen Cleaves, Peterson’s former teammate and fellow Flint native who had his jersey retired in February 2007.
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