Phil Chenier recalled showing up for his first practice during his rookie year in 1971, being surrounded by talents such as Wes Unseld and Earl Monroe. He remembered having just watched them in the NBA finals the previous summer.
It was the start of a 10-year career — nine with the Washington Bullets — filled with three All-Star appearances and a 1978 championship.
And on Friday, Chenier watched his jersey go up in the rafters.
The Wizards retired Chenier’s No. 45 jersey Friday during halftime of Washington’s 108-100 loss to the Denver Nuggets. The gesture was considered long overdue, but happened on the heels of the franchise’s 40th anniversary for their last championship.