Pistons to retire Rodman's No. 10

FOX Sports Detroit
Feb. 11, 2011

The Worm will have his day in Detroit.

The Pistons on Friday announced that they will retire Dennis Rodman's No. 10 during a halftime ceremony on April 1.

Rodman, a second-round draft pick for the Pistons out of Southeastern Oklahoma State in 1986, was a member of the "Bad Boys," who won back-to-back titles in '89 and '90. A fierce-rebounding small forward, he was the NBA Defensive Player of the Year twice.

"I'm pleased that we are honoring Dennis for his accomplishments as a player and his contributions to the success of the organization," said Joe Dumars, Pistons president of basketball operations and Rodman's former teammate. "His jersey retirement is well deserved."

Rodman, who got his Worm moniker from his mother for his wiggling while playing pinball,  averaged 8.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 549 games as a member of the Pistons,  who traded him to the Spurs in October 1993.

"Individual accomplishments have never been a big deal for me as a player, but to be honored for my contributions in this way by the Detroit Pistons organization is truly humbling," Rodman said in a statement issued through his manager, Steven Simon of Prince Marketing Group.  "This organization gave me a chance to blossom regardless of my size or what school I came from. 

"My only regret is that the man that believed in me more than I did myself, Chuck Daly, is no longer with us. I'm sure he�ll be with us that evening in his own way."

Rodman also won three championships with the Jordan-era Bulls before moving on to the Lakers and Mavericks, where his career ended in March 2000.

Mostly after his Pistons career, Rodman gained notoriety for his eccentric behavior, especially his habit of changing hair colors. In 1998 he married actress Carmen Electra, a union which ended the next year.

Rodman joins Dumars (No. 4), Isiah Thomas (No. 11), Vinnie Johnson (No. 15) and Bill Laimbeer (No. 40) on the list of "Bad Boys" with retired Pistons numbers. Their coach,  Daly (No. 2, for his two championships), is also on that list.

Pistons rookie Greg Monroe currently wears No. 10. It is unknown if he will change numbers.

The Pistons play the Bulls at the Palace of Auburn Hills on April 1.