The Washington Wizards and Washington Mystics plan on honoring the late Hall of Fame center Wes Unseld with jersey patches for the remainder of their seasons, the franchises announced on Thursday.
Unseld, who passed away earlier in June, left an incredible legacy. A five-time All-Star, the Louisville native was a force to be reckoned with back in the day and was one of the most tenacious rebounders and defenders. Unseld won both Rookie of the Year and the Most Value Player awards in 1968-69 with the Baltimore Bullets (now the Wizards).
Later in his 13-year NBA career (all with the Bullets), Unseld — along with co-star Elvin Hayes — guided Washington to the franchise's first, and to this day only, championship (1978).
4️⃣1️⃣💙🏆 pic.twitter.com/IYqarAqVRh
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) July 16, 2020
This season we are joining the @WashWizards to pay tribute to Wes Unseld with a commemorative black band featuring Unseld’s 41 number in white on the left shoulder of our jerseys.
More >> https://t.co/OrjMmJBjeT pic.twitter.com/IHzKa1LObe
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) July 16, 2020
The Wizards will resume their 2019-20 NBA season in the Orlando “bubble” at the end of July. While nearly eliminated from postseason contention, the D.C. club still received an invite to be among the 22 franchises to play in central Florida to finish the regular season before getting into the playoffs.
Additionally, the WNBA's Mystics — also owned by Wizards boss Ted Leonsis — will don the “41” patch to honor Unseld's legacy. The 2020 WNBA season will be shortened to just 22 games in the regular season, all held in a similar bubble at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
Wes Unseld was a defining player of his era along with his iconic afro. Starring with Hayes in the Bullets' frontcourt, Unseld was a driving force for the now-Wizards' single title in franchise history. Sure enough, his legacy will be remembered forever.
Follow Us
Subscribe