Moncrief realizes number retirement ‘special’
FAYETTEVILLE — Former Arkansas All-American guard Sidney Moncrief isn’t sure what happened to the banner with his retired No. 32 that used to hang in Barnhill Arena. “I would like to find it,” Moncrief said, laughing. “I could put it on eBay.”
No need to wonder the whereabouts of Moncrief’s new No. 32 banner.
It is hanging from the Walton Arena rafters after an unveiling ceremony at halftime of Saturday’s Arkansas-Mississippi State game.
Moncrief, 57, was playing in the NBA with the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1980s when he his jersey was retired and hung in Barnhill Arena.
“When it happened the first time, I was so into the NBA and being an All-Star and all that kind of stuff,” said Moncrief, a five-time NBA All-Star and two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. “I didn’t really realize the significance of having your number retired.
“This time, as you get older — not old, but older — you kind of realize ‘Hey, this is special.’
“You also think about your teammates, the fans and all the people that made it possible beyond yourself, so I’m really ecstatic about having the opportunity to come back and be a part of this activity.”
Moncrief was a senior for the Razorbacks during the 1978-1979 season, but he remains Arkansas’ career leader in rebounds with 1,015 and No. 2 all-time scorer with 2,066 points.
As a junior, Moncrief was part of the famed “Triplets” along with senior guards Ron Brewer and Marvin Delph who led Arkansas to the 1978 Final Four.
Brewer and Delph joined Moncrief on the court during Saturday’s ceremony along with several other former teammates and his family.
Moncrief is the first individual to be honored with a banner in Walton Arena. Corliss Williamson and Nolan Richardson will have banner ceremonies later this month, as will Bettye Ficus and Delmonica De Horney.
“I know one thing, my banner is Marvin’s and Ron’s banner,” Moncrief said. “I’m sure over time everyone will get their due recognition.
“Certainly I could not have — not being modest, being real — accomplished what I did in the NBA or college without my teammates. So this is special day not only for me, but for them.”
Moncrief, who starred at Little Rock Hall, came to Arkansas to play for Coach Eddie Sutton.
“Coach Sutton has been like the rock,” Moncrief said. “Forget about on the court, because life is about more than basketball. He’s the person that set the tone for teaching us how to respect authority, how to be responsible, how to go to class, how to be great teammates and be good people.
“He wanted us to make an impact outside of basketball, and he wanted us to play our butts off on the court, and he certainly accomplished that.”
Moncrief lives in Addison, Texas, a Dallas suburb and is a television analyst for the Bucks. But he said he always has felt close to the Arkansas program, crediting Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson with embracing the former players.
“Once you’re a Razorback, you’re always a Razorback,” Moncrief said. “I don’t care if you live in China, Australia, I don’t care if you live in Texas. It doesn’t really matter.
“You’re always pulling for the team to do well. You’re always a part of the Razorback family.”