Marshall University Athletics
Lee Honored at Basketball Banquet
4/30/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Lee Honored at Basketball Banquet
4/30/2003
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall University honored former All-American and first round NBA Draft pick Russell Lee by retiring his jersey Tuesday night at the annual men's basketball postseason banquet.
"This is very special for me," Lee said. "My life really began here at Marshall. I was born in Boston, but I truly grew up in Huntington. I got the chance to do what I loved in playing basketball and I met my wife here."
Lee stands fourth all-time in career scoring, field goals made (739), and in field goals attempted (1,643). He also stands fifth all-time in rebounding. Lee?s 337 career field goals rank him eighth all-time and his 473 free throws rank 10th in school history.
Lee led Marshall in scoring all three season he wore the green and white and remains to this day the Thundering Herd?s all-time career scoring average leader (23.9 points per game). He was named to the Street & Smith?s, Basketball Weekly, and Converse All-American teams in 1971-72. He was later drafted in the first round of the 1972 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks as the sixth overall pick, the Bucks used their second-first round pick on Julius Erving at #12.
The night's program also included a tribute to departing senior Monty Wright, the Herd's lone senior this past season, departing junior standout Ronald Blackshear, and the annual team awards presentation.
Wright averaged 9.3 points per game for the Thundering Herd this season and led the squad with 37 steals.
"Its been great and I just want to thank everyone for being there and supporting me," Wright said.
Blackshear, who is forgoing his senior season to play professionally, was honored with the Walt Walowac Most Outstanding Player Award.
"I will always be part of the Marshall family," Blacksear said. "I am very grateful to Coach White and everyone here for giving me this opportunity. It has always been a dream of mine and it is something I am ready to go after (the NBA)," Blackshear said.
Sophomore point guard A.W. Hamilton earned the Leo Byrd Thoroughbred and Cebe Price Most Courageous Awards and sophomore David Anderson took home the Russell Lee Most Improved Player Award. LaVar Carter, Joe Dressel, and Ardo Armpalu were all named as co-winners of the Whitey Wilson Student-Athlete award.