76ers to retire Dolph Schayes' No. 4, Noel will continue wearing it

The Philadelphia 76ers will honor the late Dolph Schayes, one of the franchise's (and the NBA's) first stars, by retiring his No. 4 jersey in a ceremony on Jan. 23, the team announced.

The jersey retirement will be purely symbolic, however, as current 76ers big man Nerlens Noel will continue to wear No. 4.

"I take the responsibility of wearing the Sixers uniform very seriously and will continue representing the organization - and now the legacy of Mr. Schayes - to the best of my ability," Noel said in a statement.

Schayes, who died of cancer in early December at age 87, began his NBA career in the league's inaugural season in 1949-50. He spent his entire 15-year playing career with the 76ers franchise - though they were the Syracuse Nationals for all but the last of those seasons - winning a championship in 1954-55. He made 12 All-Star teams and six All-NBA first teams, and ranks third on the franchise's all-time scoring list.

He also coached the team for three years, including acting as a player-coach during his final season in uniform.

Schayes' number will be the ninth (and most overdue) retired in franchise history, after Allen Iverson (No. 3), Julius Erving (6), Maurice Cheeks (10), Wilt Chamberlain (13), Hal Greer (15), Bobby Jones (24), Billy Cunningham (32), and Charles Barkley (34).

He was apparently informed of the team's plans before he passed away.

"Dolph Schayes is a legend of the game and we are proud to rightfully raise his number to the rafters alongside his fellow Sixers greats," 76ers CEO Scott O'Neil said. "It is heartwarming to know that, prior to his passing, Dolph was humbled and excited to learn of our plans to retire his number this season. We will miss his presence dearly on January 23, but look forward to honoring his life and career as one of the pioneers of the Philadelphia 76ers organization."