McNeese Basketball Holding Joe Dumars Night In Lake Charles

If you are a McNeese basketball fan or are from here in Southwest Louisiana, then you will know the name, Joe Dumars. Dumars is coming back to his old stomping grounds in January and will be celebrated by the McNeese Athletics and the basketball team.

Dumars was born in Shreveport Louisiana and played his high school basketball at Natchitoches Central. He then came down to Lake Charles where he played for the McNeese Basketball team from 1982-1985. He is one of the most legendary basketball players to ever come out of McNeese.

He was picked as the 18th overall pick in the 1985 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons. Dumars played for the Pistons from 1985 to 1999 as a point guard. He played for the iconic Pistons teams, Known as The Bad Boys" who won two NBA world titles in 1989 and 1990. He was also named the NBA Finals MVP in 1989.

After his playing career was over, Joe Dumars became the Pistons' president of basketball operations prior to the start of the 2000-2001 NBA season. He won another world title with the Pistons as an executive in 2004.

Dumars #4 jersey was retired by the McNeese Cowboys and also by the Detroit Pistons. So what is Joe Dumars doing now? On May 2, 2022, Dumars was named the executive vice president and head of basketball operations of the NBA.

According to Matt Bonnette with McNeese,

Joe Dumars is a member of the Naismith Hall of Fame (2006 induction), McNeese Sports Hall of Fame (1994), Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame (1990), Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame (2003), and the Southland Conference Hall of Honor (2009).

Coming up Thursday, January 5th, 2023, McNeese will be holding Joe Dumars day at the Legacy Center. During that time, they will celebrate Dumars by naming the court after him. So after January 5th, it will be known as the Joe Dumars Court.

So make sure to get a ticket and be there for this memorable dedication. The pokes will take on Northwestern that night at 7:00 pm.