Cardinals Honor Four Former Men's Basketball Stars
July 19, 2000 | Men's Basketball
January 22, 2000
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Four former University of Louisville basketball standouts had their jerseys retired in a ceremony at halftime of the Cardinals' Jan. 22 game against UNC Charlotte in Freedom Hall. All former U of L basketball lettermen were also invited and those that attended were recognized during the game.
The four honorees included Don Goldstein (1956-59), Phil Rollins (1952-56), Billy Thompson (1982-86) and Milt Wagner (1981-86).
U of L has retired 12 jerseys over the last four years: Alfred "Butch" Beard, Ulysses "Junior" Bridgeman, Jack Coleman, George Hauptfuhrer, Bob Lochmueller, Rodney McCray, Allen Murphy, Chuck Noble, Jim Price, Kenny Reeves, Derek Smith and John Turner.
The Cardinals have previously retired the numbers of four players -- Charlie Tyra, Wes Unseld, Darrell Griffith and Pervis Ellison. Their special accomplishments warranted retiring their numbers and making them unavailable to be worn by future Cardinal players.
A permanent Honored Numbers display is located in the front lobby of Freedom Hall. Players are selected by a committee composed of former U of L lettermen, coaches and athletic officials in recognition of their past honors and their individual and team statistical achievements during their U of L careers.
Don Goldstein
A 6-5 forward from New York, N.Y., Goldstein helped U of L to its first NCAA Final Four appearance in 1959, the second of six Final Fours that have been played in Louisville's Freedom Hall.
He averaged 21.4 points and 10 rebounds during the 1959 NCAA Tournament games. Goldstein totaled 1,019 career points in three seasons, becoming the 10th player at U of L to score 1,000 career points.
A member of the U of L Athletic Hall of Fame, Goldstein earned All-America honors in 1958-59. He helped U of L post a combined 53-29 record in three seasons.
Goldstein ranks 10th in career rebounding at U of L with 838 rebounds. He was a first-round NBA draft choice of Detroit following his career with the Cardinals.
Phil Rollins
A 6-2 guard from Wickliffe, Ky., Rollins was a starting guard and captain of the Cardinals' 1956 NIT Championship team.
Rollins totaled 1,060 career points in four seasons at U of L. He helped U of L produce a combined 89-24 record, winning over 20 games three of his four years.
A member of the U of L Athletic Hall of Fame, Rollins was among the Cardinals' top four scorers each of his four seasons at U of L. His 37 points scored against Eastern Kentucky as a senior stands as the sixth highest single-game mark at U of L.
Rollins was drafted by Philadelphia and played three years in the NBA with four different teams.
Billy Thompson
A 6-7 forward from Camden, N.J., Thompson was the scoring leader (14.9 points) on the Cards' 1986 NCAA Championship team, earning Final Four all-tournament honors.
Thompson is the only player to rank among the Cardinals' top ten in career scoring (10th, 1,685 points), rebounding (sixth, 930 rebounds) and assists (fifth, 459 assists).
The complete, versatile Thompson posted career highs of 30 points, 17 rebounds and eight blocked shots as a senior. He helped U of L to a combined 107-33 record and two NCAA Final Four appearances in four seasons.
A two-time All Metro Conference selection, Thompson was a standout on the 1985 USA World University Games team, scoring 25 points in the championship game.
Thompson was a first-round NBA draft pick (19th overall) who played five years in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat.
Milt Wagner
One of the most prolific scorers in U of L history, the 6-5 guard from Camden, N.J. ranks fourth in all-time scoring with 1,834 career points.
A starter on the Cards' 1986 NCAA Championship team, Wagner helped U of L to a 113-32 combined record and three NCAA Final Four appearances over his career.
He played in 144 career games, the second most in U of L history, and started the last 111 games in which he played.
One of the most clutch performers in U of L basketball history, the three-time All-Metro Conference selection ranks sixth in career assists (432) and seventh in career free throw percentage (.808, 336-of-413).
He was a second-round NBA draft pick (35th overall) who played 13 years of professional basketball in the USA and Europe.
