Ole Miss Takes Star To Rafters Boone, More Than A Stats Guy, Has His Jersey Number Retired

Anthony Boone, the “heart and soul” of No. 13 Mississippi, on Saturday became the first basketball player - and only the second athlete in school history - to have his jersey number retired.

The No. 41 jersey was retired at a pregame ceremony honoring Boone and two other Rebels seniors - Southeastern Conference scoring leader Ansu Sesay and sixth man Joezon Darby - playing their final home game.

“I was really shocked, I had no idea,” Boone said after the Rebels defeated Auburn 74-67 to clinch their second straight SEC West Division title. “I have had my ups and downs, but that is life. God has been good to me and I have too much support to give up.”

Only two other athletic numbers have been retired at Ole Miss. The No. 18 football jersey worn by Archie Manning and the No. 41 that Jake Gibbs wore as Rebels baseball coach for 19 seasons were the only others.

Boone, who has overcome four knee surgeries during his college career, became teary-eyed - as did many in the sellout crowd - when a huge replica jersey was lowered from the rafters. The chant “Boooooooone” cascaded from the student section.

Even though his career averages in 91 games are not spectacular at 7.3 points and 4.8 rebounds a game, his coach and teammates call Boone the “heart and soul” of the team because of his numerous comebacks from injury and his hard-nosed play on the court.

Boone is an honor student in chemical engineering and serves as president of both the M-Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes organizations on the Ole Miss campus. He also attends most other athletic events on campus.

“He epitomizes who I believe a college basketball player should be, and what life should be,” Ole Miss coach Rob Evans said.