Heading home after an 87-74 win at Sacramento State last Sunday, Jan. 4, the Eagles will reunite with Idaho State, Weber State and former Eagle and current Detroit Pistons starting point guard, Rodney Stuckey.
Stuckey is using a break from his NBA season to have his jersey officially retired at Reese Court in Cheney during Eastern's in-conference matchup versus Weber State on Sunday, Jan. 11.
Fans will have an opportunity to meet Stuckey after the game for an autograph session open to the public. He will sign one item for each person in attendance.
"I am very honored and humbled to have my EWU jersey retired," said Stuckey. "I have so many wonderful memories from my college days and I'm thankful to the university, the fans, my coaches and my teammates."
Stuckey, a first-round draft pick at 15th overall, was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the 2007 National Basketball Association draft. He will join the likes of several Eastern football players, but will be the sole Eastern men's basketball player on record to have his jersey retired.
EWU alumnus Ron Cox, drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1977, remains a candidate for jersey retirement at EWU, but an injury prevented him from playing in the NBA. Cox became a member of the Eastern Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998, where Stuckey will reside once placed on the inductee ballot.
"It will be great to be back at Eastern where it all began," remarked Stuckey. "I know it will be a special day and I'm happy to share this experience with all the people who supported me throughout my college career."
For Eagle Head Coach Kirk Earlywine, there is a humbled feeling of respect for the work Stuckey put into Eastern and its basketball program preceding him.
"I would hope that all of our fans show up to honor Rodney and show our appreciation for what he's done," said Earlywine. "You could make the argument that he was every bit as successful in the classroom as he was on the floor here at Eastern."
Stuckey made All-American honors both for athletics and academics. His wisdom and experiences are something Earlywine hopes he will share with the new generation of Eastern men's basketball players.
"I don't know how much opportunity he'll get to spend time with our players, but I know that he can certainly help our guys," commented Earlywine.
The 2009 Eagles are coming together well, according to Earlywine, and are developing a sense of cohesiveness. This synergy is attributed by Earlywine, in part, to the addition of senior guard Adris DeLeon, who has been cleared by the NCAA as eligible to play.
DeLeon racked up 17 points and three assists in his first start of the season against Sacramento State, adding to senior Milan Stanojevic's 12 points and career-high seven rebounds. Big Sky scoring leader and EWU point guard Benny Valentine scored 33 points off the bench in his third game as a non-starter to help the Eagles win.
"Adris gives us another guy who is a very, very good shooter on the perimeter and I think that helps space the floor a little bit and makes it a little easier for Brandon Moore in the post, and also creates more space for Benny Valentine," explained Earlywine.
The team's next game falls on Thursday, Jan. 8, as the Eagles host Idaho State at Reese Court in Cheney at 7:05 p.m. PST. The Bengals will enter the game 1-0 in Big Sky play, coming off a 62-61 overtime victory over Northern Colorado on New Year's Day.
Following Thursday's game will be the highly-anticipated Weber State game, where "Hot Rod" Rodney Stuckey (13.5 points, 5.1 assists, NBA) will be commemorated at halftime with his jersey retirement ceremony.
The events on Sunday, Jan. 11, will be televised live regionally by Altitude Sports and Entertainment. The game tips-off at 1:05 p.m. at Reese Court; Eastern enters at 8-7, 2-1 in Big Sky play.
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