THE FLATS – Georgia Tech is set to honor Dennis Scott, the 1990 ACC and Sporting News National Men’s Basketball Player of the Year, with an official retirement of his jersey No. 4 during the Yellow Jackets’ game against Georgia on Friday, Nov. 15, at 8 p.m.
That evening, Scott’s jersey will be raised to the rafters of McCamish Pavilion alongside the jerseys of six other Yellow Jacket legends: Roger Kaiser (No. 21), Rich Yunkus (No. 40), Mark Price (No. 25), John Salley (No. 22), Tom Hammonds (No. 20), and Matt Harpring (No. 15). The first 2,000 fans will receive a commemorative rally towel featuring an image of Scott’s jersey.
Tickets for the Georgia game can be purchased individually, starting at 12forupper−levelseatsand 38 for lower-level seats. They are also available as part of a six-game package, starting at $ 171, or through a season-ticket purchase.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate Dennis Scott and raise No. 4 to the rafters on Nov. 15,” said Tech athletics director J Batt. “It will be a special night for the Georgia Tech community as we honor his remarkable achievements on and off the court while Coach Stoudamire’s team competes against our archrivals, Georgia. It’s going to be an exciting evening of basketball at the Thrillerdome!”
Standing at 6-foot-8, Scott is one of only five Georgia Tech players ever to be named a first-team All-American by an NCAA-recognized organization, earning this honor in 1990 from Basketball Times, The Sporting News, the Wooden Award, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, the Naismith Award, and The National. He was also a finalist for the Naismith and Wooden Awards that year, and received second-team recognition from three additional organizations.
As part of the iconic “Lethal Weapon 3” trio alongside Brian Oliver and Kenny Anderson, Scott led the Yellow Jackets to their second ACC title and the program’s first-ever NCAA Final Four appearance, winning 28 games before losing to UNLV in the national semifinal in Denver, Colorado.
Standing at 6-foot-8, Scott is one of just five Georgia Tech players to earn first-team All-American honors from an NCAA-recognized organization, achieving this status in 1990 from Basketball Times, The Sporting News, the Wooden Award, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, the Naismith Award, and The National. He also received second-team recognition from three additional organizations and was a finalist for both the Naismith and Wooden Awards that same year.
As part of the renowned “Lethal Weapon 3” alongside Brian Oliver and Kenny Anderson, Scott helped lead the Yellow Jackets to their second ACC championship and the first NCAA Final Four appearance in the school’s history, winning 28 games before falling to UNLV in the national semifinal in Denver, Colorado.
Scott became eligible for jersey retirement in December after earning his Executive Master of Business Administration degree from Georgia Tech. He will be honored at a Tech home basketball game during the 2024-25 season when a banner is unveiled in his name.
“Dennis’ accomplishments on the basketball court are exceptional,” said his former coach, Bobby Cremins. “He has made Atlanta his home for over two decades after his playing career. For two years, Dennis has been taking classes on campus, and with his mother Elizabeth, wife Rachael, and children proudly in attendance, he graduated on December 16th in the very arena where he played. I know Dennis very well, and I couldn’t be prouder of him and how he represents Georgia Tech.”
“Dennis’ basketball achievements are truly exceptional,” remarked his renowned Georgia Tech coach, Bobby Cremins. “He has called Atlanta home for more than 20 years after his playing career. For the past two years, Dennis has been attending classes on campus, and with his mom Elizabeth, wife Rachael, and children proudly watching, he graduated on December 16th in the arena where he once played. I know Dennis very well, and I’m incredibly proud of who he is and how he represents Georgia Tech.”
Hailing from Reston, Va., Scott quickly made an impact at Tech, winning the ACC Rookie of the Year Award during the 1987-88 season and earning third-team All-ACC and third-team All-America honors as a sophomore. The team made it to the NCAA Tournament in both of those years.
He scored 970 points during the 1989-90 season, an ACC all-time record, and his average of 27.7 points per game ranks second only to Rich Yunkus (30.1 from 1968-71). Additionally, Scott set the ACC record for three-point field goals in a season with 137, a figure that currently stands as the second-highest in conference history, just two shy of the new record of 139 set by Duke’s J.J. Redick in 2005-06. His career scoring average of 21.36 ranks 19th in conference history and fourth in Tech’s records. Despite playing only three seasons, he ranks fourth on Tech’s all-time scoring list with 2,115 points and holds the records for career three-point field goals (351) and highest three-point shooting percentage (42.2%).
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