
In conjunction with the debut of a new Hardwood Classics green-and-gold uniform from the team’s San Diego days, the Rockets on Friday retired the franchise’s No. 44 jersey to the Toyota Center rafters in honor of Hall of Fame center Elvin Hayes.
Hayes was drafted by San Diego with the No. 1 pick in the first round of the 1968 NBA draft. As with the rest of the Rockets, he moved to Houston once the team relocated in 1971.