HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall Athletics will retire the No. 10 jersey of basketball legend Mike D’Antoni during a pregame ceremony on Sept. 10 when the Herd hosts Southern Miss in the program’s 2011 home football opener.

“This is a great opportunity to honor and pay tribute to the greatest point guards to ever wear the Marshall Basketball jersey, Dan and Mike D’Antoni,” said Marshall Director of Athletics Mike Hamrick.

“Dan wore number 10 and was instrumental in convincing Mike to attend Marshall where he was such a great player. Even though the number 10 will be retired in Mike’s honor, Dan will also always be a treasured part of Marshall’s history.”

Mike D’Antoni played point guard for the Herd from 1970-73 and helped lead Marshall to a No. 8 national ranking and a 23-4 record in 1972, earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament in the process.

After graduation from Marshall, Mike D’Antoni enjoyed a 17-year career playing professional basketball before turning to coaching where he has enjoyed a 21-year career.

He was the NBA’s 2004-05 Coach of the Year and is currently entering his fourth year as head coach of the New York Knicks. He was elected to Marshall’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.

Participating in the ceremony will be the entire D’Antoni family. The jersey will be presented to Mike from his brother Danny, who passed down the No. 10 after a stellar career at point guard himself.

Danny, who was a three-year starter, averaged 17.5 points per game as a senior and was elected to Marshall’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990.