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.
“We are thrilled to celebrate Elvin Hayes’ stellar career by retiring his jersey,” said Tilman Fertitta, current owner of the Rockets.
“Elvin was the original basketball superstar in the city of Houston and has a lasting legacy with not only the NBA and the Rockets, but the University of Houston, as well. We’re excited to honor Elvin and his family this November and see his jersey hang where it belongs, alongside the other legends from our franchise’s storied history.”
Hayes’ No. 44 jersey is already retired at the University of Houston, where he played college basketball.
The jersey retirement ceremony took place at halftime of Houston’s game versus Indiana on Friday night. As part of the celebration, and in recognition of the franchise’s 55th anniversary season, the Rockets debuted their green San Diego Hardwood Classics jersey — made popular by Hayes and Calvin Murphy — in that game.
Scroll on for interviews, quotes, videos, photos, and much more from a special night at Toyota Center.
Honoring the legendary career of Elvin Hayes. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/fjN8hSxuKD
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 19, 2022
Cemented in #Rockets history.
Congratulations, Elvin Hayes! pic.twitter.com/Rmo4YyvHaB
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 19, 2022
"Houston you made me who I am, and I really appreciate it"
Elvin Hayes thanks the city of Houston and the @HoustonRockets fans as his jersey enters the rafters! pic.twitter.com/Ig5vDcf5Or
— NBA (@NBA) November 19, 2022
👏 Elvin Hayes' #44 jersey is retired at the half in Houston! pic.twitter.com/guxCzzDKvG
— NBA (@NBA) November 19, 2022
Great tribute in-game from the @NBAonTNT crew on Elvin Hayes jersey retirement night here at Toyota Center. The Big E halftime ceremony will be shown on @ATTSportsNetSW pic.twitter.com/G9fWuMQU4v
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) November 19, 2022
We held a reception pregame to celebrate the man of the hour, Elvin Hayes 🙌 pic.twitter.com/S58DWsYn0l
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 19, 2022
"The Big E" Elvin Hayes will have his jersey retired tonight by the Rockets! pic.twitter.com/5v2pMrHgRt
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) November 18, 2022
ELVIN HAYES #Rockets JERSEY RETIREMENT NIGHT@SportsVanessa talked to The Big E about the honor@HoustonRockets on AT&T SportsNet pic.twitter.com/pX4OjAdGJW
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) November 19, 2022
Elvin Hayes won the 1968-69 NBA scoring title as a rookie.
The Rockets will retire Elvin Hayes' #44 jersey tonight! pic.twitter.com/Gvg3HaW2bs
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) November 18, 2022
#Rockets fans in attendance tonight will get a "Big E" poster to commemorate Elvin Hayes' jersey retirement. pic.twitter.com/c09OkBIKFv
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 18, 2022
Rockets legend Elvin Hayes on having his jersey retired:
“It is really, truly a great honor.”
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) November 19, 2022
Calvin Murphy, Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, Robert Reid, Allen Leavell, Major Jones, and Don Chaney are on the floor for Elvin Hayes' jersey retirement
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) November 19, 2022
It’s official! Elvin Hayes’ #44 jersey is retired 🏀 pic.twitter.com/yK3KoIkwST
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) November 19, 2022
Relive some of Elvin Hayes’ best moments with the @HoustonRockets!
The Big E will have his No. 44 jersey raised into the rafters tonight during the Rockets home game. pic.twitter.com/hKMrUeVVYP
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) November 18, 2022
Running the floor, hitting jumpers, posting up… Elvin Hayes had a complete scoring package.
Hayes will have his No. 44 Rockets jersey retired tonight!pic.twitter.com/GR3u1lpHFR
— NBA (@NBA) November 18, 2022
Congratulations to Elvin Hayes !!!!!
The BIG E's 4⃣4⃣ retired by the @HoustonRockets #Rockets pic.twitter.com/8Fg7GqR8vu
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) November 19, 2022
All five Pacers starters came over and shook hands with Elvin Hayes, who is sitting court side. Hayes will have his No. 44 retired at halftime.
— MoiseKapenda Bower (@moisekapenda) November 19, 2022
Elvin Hayes on having his jersey retired during halftime of tonight's @Rockets game pic.twitter.com/94cJLRieFp
— Jason Bristol (@JBristolKHOU) November 19, 2022
Tonight @UHCougarMBK legend Elvin Hayes' Rockets jersey was retired to honor his legacy. Congratulations, you continue to make Coog Nation proud! 👏🏀 pic.twitter.com/oCXDwXY0zr
— University of Houston (@UHouston) November 19, 2022
Elvin Hayes watches his jersey go into the rafters at the Toyota Center. pic.twitter.com/pNQ2UXxARU
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) November 19, 2022
Elvin Hayes on the Rockets choosing to retire his No. 44 jersey.
“It’s really an honor for me tonight to have presented to me something I never thought I would ever get to receive.” pic.twitter.com/PeK9jnq3fP
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) November 19, 2022
Elvin Hayes 4⃣4⃣ #Rockets jersey will be retired at HALFTIME of tonight's game
Stephen Silas talks the BIG E @HoustonRockets vs Indians Pacers begins NOW on AT&T SportsNet pic.twitter.com/gfhWo3jUGx
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) November 19, 2022
