Men's Basketball | 10/12/2026 9:30:00 AM
(St. George, Utah - Oct. 12, 2026) - The Trailblazer men's basketball team will honor Utah Tech Hall of Famer and longtime NBA assistant and head coach Lionel Hollins with his jersey retirement on Dec. 5 in a Big Sky contest against Idaho State.
A 2012 Utah Tech Hall of Fame Inductee, Hollins was a starting guard for the Dixie College Rebels from 1971-73 earning both All-Conference and NJCAA All-American honors.
Helping the Rebels break through to the 1973 NJCAA National Tournament under head coach Doug Allred, Dixie College's first-ever appearance in the national tournament, Hollins was inducted into the NJCAA Men's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004.
"To see the school grow from Dixie College, a junior college when I attended, through its years as Dixie State, and now into Utah Tech University competing at the NCAA Division I level in the Big Sky Conference fills me with pride. I'm honored to be part of the university's storied history and journey," said Hollins.
In addition to his jersey retirement, the Trailblazer men's basketball program will host a special Excellence Dinner on Friday, Dec. 4, celebrating Hollins' remarkable career, his lasting impact on the game of basketball, and his connection to the St. George community.
The evening will bring together former teammates, alumni, supporters, and community leaders for a memorable celebration of Hollins' legacy, while also providing an opportunity to invest in the continued growth and success of Utah Tech men's basketball program.
"Having my number retired in the arena is a special privilege. This honor brings back memories of the people who believed in me and helped shape my life, both on and off the court. I look forward to the Excellence Dinner and the game, and to reconnecting with friends, teammates, coaches, and university staff who were instrumental in my development."
Following his time in St. George, Hollins went on to earn Sporting News First Team All-American honors at Arizona State and became a first-round draft selection of the Portland Trailblazers in 1975 being selected sixth overall.
After four-plus seasons with the Trailblazers, where he won an NBA championship in 1977 & earned an appearance in the 1978 All-Star Game, he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in 1980 before moving on to the San Diego Clippers and finished out his NBA career with the Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets.
Hollins broke into the NBA earning First Team All-Rookie honors in 1976, was named to the NBA All-Defense Team in both 1978 & 1979, and played in the NBA Finals with the 76ers in 1980 & 1982.
After his playing career ended with the Rockets in 1985, Hollins got his nearly 40-year coaching career started at Arizona State and was the head coach in the NBA of both the Memphis Grizzlies and Brooklyn Nets.
He also coached in the NBA Finals as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns in 1993, was on the Western Conference coaching staff for a pair of All-Star Games in 1993 & 1995 and won an NBA championship as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
Both his No. 33 jersey with the Arizona State Sun Devils and his No. 14 jersey with the Portland Trailblazers are retired.
Hollins is also a member of the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame as well as the Arizona State Hall of Fame.
For any questions or more information, contact assistant coach
Brock Staheli at brock.staheli@utahtech.edu.
