Washington Times
September 14, 2017

The Washington Wizards will retire Phil Chenier’s No. 45 jersey this upcoming season, the team announced Thursday.

Chenier’s jersey retirement ceremony will be March 23 when the Wizards face the Denver Nuggets. He will become the franchise’s fifth player to have their jersey retired, joining former teammates Wes Unseld, Elvin Hayes, Gus Johnson and Earl Monroe.

Chenier played for the franchise for nine seasons and won a championship with the then-Washington Bullets in 1978. He also served as the team’s primary color analyst for broadcast games for 33 years — a role that ended in May.

“I am so proud to have the honor and blessing of my No. 45 hanging with the greats of this franchise,” Chenier said in a statement. “It’s a statement to my teammates, coaches and all those who have sacrificed, supported and guided me over the many years that says ‘job well done.’ I also share it with the fans who have approached me with kind words and fond memories from both my playing days and my broadcasting career. … I’m so appreciative of each and every experience I’ve had here and can’t wait to share this honor with my DC Family in March.”

Wizards owner Ted Leonsis said Chenier has been a “pillar of our Wizards and Bullets family.”

“We are thrilled to retire his jersey this season and to express our gratitude for his irreplaceable contributions to our DC family,” Leonsis said.