Bucks to retire Marques Johnson's No. 8 jersey

The Milwaukee Bucks surprised veteran all-star Marques Johnson by retiring his No. 8 jersey in a halftime ceremony set for Sunday, March 24, when the Bucks host the Cleveland Cavaliers. Johnson, who played 524 career games in seven seasons with Milwaukee from 1977-1984, will be the ninth Bucks player to have his number retired and the first since the team's move to Fiserv Forum this season. During his time in Milwaukee he averaged 21.0 points per game with 7.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

"I am moved beyond words by such a gesture," said Johnson, 62, who was drafted by the Bucks in the first round of the 1977 NBA Draft at age 21 and was the third pick overall. "I have always held a special place in my heart for the fans who supported the Bucks during my time there. For the organization to honor me this way, means more than words can express. Sometimes it takes being away from a situation to really appreciate what you had. I had long felt a sense of disappointment for falling short of the NBA Finals. What I have come to realize is that the fans of Milwaukee only ask that you play hard and give your best."

Johnson, who has been a color analyst for the Bucks since 2015, ranks among the team's all-time leaders in several statistical categories including first in offensive rebounds (1,468), third in rebounds (3,923), fourth in field goals made (4,546) and sixth in points (10,980). During his seven seasons in Milwaukee, Johnson made four all-star teams, once earned a spot on the first-team all-NBA (1979), garnered two second-team all-NBA honors (1980, ‘81) and earned NBA all-rookie first-team honors in 1978. A standout at UCLA, Johnson won the 1975 NCAA Championship with the Bruins under famed head coach John Wooden.

--Field Level Media