:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/6057731/08jackson_mannie_b.0.jpg)
At some point before or during halftime of the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Wednesday the 9th of January, the University of Illinois will honor former player Mannie Jackson by raising his jersey into the retirement ranks.
Just who is Mannie Jackson?
Mannie grew up in Edwardsville, Il and was one of the first two African-American letter winners and starters for the Fighting Illini basketball team during the 1957-58 season. He was named captain in 1960 and went on the play briefly for the Harlem Globetrotters after his time in Champaign was concluded. After incredibly successful stints at GM and Honeywell, Jackson purchased the Globetrotters in 1993, restoring them to their former glory.
Jackson retired fifth all time in team scoring with 922 points and was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. This is a long overdue honor and should be a pretty fantastic treat for those in attendance. If you're their that night, applaud like an incredibly respectful hell.