HUNTINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA - Marshall University has retired the Number 55 jersey of Russell Lee, one of the school's greatest basketball players ever. <br>
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Lee, who now lives in Atlanta, was honored Tuesday night at Marshall's annual men's basketball banquet. <br>
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He led the 1971-1972 team that posted a 23-and-4 record, cracked the top ten and remains the school's greatest squad 31 years later. <br>
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Lee averaged 22.3 points per game that season, finishing with 603 total. His three-year average was 23.9 points per game, Marshall's highest scoring average ever. <br>
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Lee scored 659 points in the 1970-1971 season, the seventh highest in Marshall history. <br>
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The Boston native says he was drawn to Huntington by Marshall's ``running and gunning'' offense. <br>
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Lee also loved the fans. He says the old Field House used to be packed with people, with more waiting outside to come in. <br>
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After finishing his career at Marshall, Lee was drafted in the first round by the Milwaukee Bucks -- six spots above Julius Erving.