Nick Collison Has No.4 Jersey Retired by OKC

Oklahoma City Thunder legend Nick Collison was honoured on Wednesday night as the team retired his number, the number four.

Nick Collison is the first player to be honored by the OKC in this way. The ceremony took place before their game against the Toronto Raptors.

Nick Collison was joined by the current Thunder team and his family. As well as that, team owner Clay Bennett and general manager Sam Presti joined him.

Collison spoke to the Thunder crowd for five minutes before the start of the game.

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“I was here when this thing started a long time ago,” Collison said.

“Most of the people know the story. We started 3-29. We practiced in an old skating rink. All those things are true. But we went to work in that old skating rink and worked day after day, and we built something really special here. And I was able to be here for every day of that, and I’m really proud of that.”

Collison spent every one of his 15 NBA seasons with the Thunder Franchise. He relocated with the team from Seattle and became a standard bearer in their new Oklahoma home. Ex teammates and fans remember him as a consummate professional.

Collison also dedicated a part of his speech to former teammate Russell Westbrook. Westbrook scored 42 points in the night as the Thunder went down 123 – 114 loss to the Raptors.

“Russell over there was with me for every one of those days, too,” Collison said.

“I just want to tell you, Russ, I’ve always admired you. I wish I had your courage, I appreciate the fight. Just thanks for coming out every night ready to rock with us. I appreciate that. Thank you.”

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Westbrook repaid the compliments in kind when speaking to the press after the game.

“I love Nick like a brother,” Westbrook said. “Just appreciative to be able to play with him his whole time here.”