Former Columbus High basketball star Marc Upshaw had his jersey retired in a ceremony in between the girls and boys games between Columbus and Shaw on Tuesday night.

Upshaw played four seasons at Columbus from 1976-79, averaging double-doubles as a junior and senior.

He averaged 22 points and 10 rebounds in his junior season, and 30 points and 11 rebounds as a senior before playing at the University of Rhode Island.

"It's very special," Upshaw said after the ceremony. "It's great to be honored, but it's even more for my family. It has a lot of meaning for me and for my daughters. It's nice to know that they can say that's something that their dad accomplished."

Upshaw said that being in the Columbus gym amongst friends and family brought back a lot of memories from his playing days.

"I have some old teammates here, which is very special," he said. "It brings back a lot of memories."

Upshaw's friend and partner in

the SaMarc Dream and Achieve Foundation, former Blue Devils star Sam Mitchell, was on hand to introduce Upshaw.

Mitchell, who played 13 seasons and coached for three more in the NBA, said that Upshaw was the greatest basketball player to come out of Columbus.

"To me, he's the greatest player to play here," Mitchell said.

"If it wasn't for Marc, there wouldn't have been me. I think this honor is long overdue."

David Mitchell, 706-571-8571