Charlotte Hornets to Retire Bobby Phills’ Jersey Again

Co-coinciding with the franchise’s move back to Charlotte, the Hornets announced Thursday plans to honor the late Bobby Phills, by re-hanging his retired No. 13 jersey during a halftime ceremony during November 1.

The jersey was originally raised to the rafters on February 9, 2000, following Phills’ untimely death a month earlier.

From the press release:

The halftime ceremony, which will include members of the Phills family and several of Phills’ former Charlotte Hornets teammates, will feature a video and remarks on behalf of the family and the organization before the No. 13 jersey once again resumes its place as the lone retired number in Hornets history.

 

A 6-5 guard, Phills signed with the Hornets prior to the 1997-98 season and played in 133 games for the team prior to his untimely death on January 12, 2000. He averaged 12.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.4 steals in 32.2 minutes per game during his time in Charlotte. The nine-year NBA veteran spent his first six seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he was named to the All-Defensive Second Team following the 1995-96 season.