George Washington Retires Basketball Legend Johnny Newman’s Number #22

George Washington Retires Basketball Legend Johnny Newman’s number finishes regular season unbeaten 

George Washington retired the number of former Eagle and NBA player Johnny Newman in a ceremony at mid-court before the Eagles completed their second undefeated regular season in three years by dispatching Franklin County 72-53 in Western Valley District action on Tuesday night. “I cherish this. It’s great… If you dream and you work hard enough and you do what you’re supposed to do, anything is capable of happening. I know that. I’m living proof of it,” Newman said, after being presented a plaque and seeing a banner in his honor unveiled in the rafters. “The kids that are coming behind me, they can look up there and they can see that it can be done.”Newman, a second-round draft pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers 1986, played guard/forward for seven NBA teams during a 16-year pro career. The other teams he’s played for include the New York Knicks, Charlotte Hornets, New Jersey Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks. Newman has also had his No. 20 retired at the University of Richmond, where he graduated from in 1986 as the school’s all-time leading scorer. He twice led the Spiders to the NCAA tournament. Newman wore the No. 22 during his playing days in Danville. It is the first number retired by the school for any sport.“I think it’s very important, because these kids need heroes,” said former longtime GW basketball coach Harry Johnson, who was on hand to help honor his former player.  “Johnny is a hero.”