The most decorated men’s basketball player in Nevada history will receive one of the greatest honors on Feb. 27 when Nick Fazekas will see his No. 22 Wolf Pack jersey hoisted at Lawlor Events Center.
Fazekas, who starred for the Wolf Pack from 2003-2007, is the school’s all-time leading scorer and led Nevada to four NCAA Tournament appearances while winning three Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year awards.
The ceremony will take place at halftime of Nevada’s game against cross-state rival UNLV on Feb. 27. Tip-off for the game is at 8 p.m.
“This means the world that the University is going to recognize me,” Fazekas said. “Nevada is where all my dreams got started and I wouldn’t be where I am today without the University and all the people that helped me along the way. I’m really looking forward to the night. It will be very special to me and my family.”
Fazekas will be traveling to Reno from Japan with his family for the ceremony. He currently stars for the Kawasaki Brave Thunders in the Japanese professional circuit. He has twice led Kawasaki to championship seasons and last year was named the league’s Most Valuable Player. He recently became a naturalized Japanese citizen and plays for the Japanese national team.
Current Wolf Pack guard Jazz Johnson currently wears No. 22 and upon the completion of his career next season, nobody will ever again wear No. 22 for the Nevada men’s basketball program. Fazekas joins Edgar Jones (No. 32) as the only two players in men’s basketball history at Nevada to have a number retired.
“This is the ultimate recognition for Nick and an honor that is most certainly earned and deserved,” said Nevada athletics director Doug Knuth. “We are thrilled that his schedule allows for him to return to Reno and we are excited to finally hang No. 22 forever at Lawlor Events Center.”
A native of Arvada, Colo., Fazekas burst onto the scene at Nevada as a freshman in the 2003-04 season as part of one of the greatest teams in school history. The skilled 6-10 forward set the school record for scoring as a freshman and was second on the team, while leading the team in rebounding as Nevada won the WAC championship and beat Michigan State and Gonzaga in the NCAA Tournament to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history.
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