Kirk Hinrich

Hinrich's was the 25th jersey to be retired by Kansas and is an honor reserved for the highest caliber of player, which includes names like Wilt Chamberlain and Paul Pierce.

Hinrich was quoted as saying: "I don't know if there's a greater honor in basketball than to have your jersey hanging in the most historic basketball building in the world. It's an unbelievable honor."

Kirk James Hinrich ( born January 2, 1981) is an American former professional basketball player.

He has also been a member of the USA National Team.

Growing up in Sioux City, Iowa, Hinrich was exposed to basketball at an early age.

His father, Jim, coached him from the third grade through high school.

As a high school senior, Hinrich was named the 1999 Co-Iowa Mr. Basketball, along with future college teammate and roommate Nick Collison.

Hinrich originally committed to play basketball at Iowa State but when the coach at the time, Tim Floyd, took the head coaching position for the NBA's Chicago Bulls, Hinrich changed his mind and decided to attend the University of Kansas.

Hinrich helped Kansas to consecutive Final Fours in 2002 and 2003, his junior and senior seasons.

He was drafted by the Chicago Bulls with the seventh pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, where he earned the nickname "Captain Kirk".

Hinrich is the Bulls' all-time leader in three-point field goals.

Hinrich was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the 2003 NBA draft with the seventh overall pick, resulting in mild surprise because he had been expected to be a mid to late first-round draft pick.

Some doubted that his college game would translate successfully to the professional league, in part because he played shooting guard for his final two years in college and was considered too small to play that position professionally.

Hinrich's high selection in the draft is credited to a good workout in front of NBA team scouts.

The Bulls needed a point guard, as Jay Williams was severely injured in a motorcycle accident.

After being picked by the Bulls, Hinrich said he knew they had a need at point guard: "I know Jay... [W]e came out of high school the same year. He's a great guy. I feel for him, but the rumors were Chicago was going to take a point guard, so I had a good chance to be drafted. The situation is tough. I know everyone is kind of in mourning about it. ... But if he's not able to play anymore, which I hope is not the case, they're going to have a need for a point guard."

Hinrich suffered an acute viral infection shortly before the beginning of his first season, requiring months to fully recover.

However, he played well after his recovery, showing a continued good grasp of fundamental skills, solid playmaking, leadership, and a surprising defensive intensity.

He solidified his position as the Bulls' starting point guard and was named to the NBA's 2004 All-Rookie first team.

On March 1, 2009, Kansas retired Hinrich's number 10 jersey and raised it to the rafters of Allen Fieldhouse.

After seven seasons with the Bulls, he had short stints with the Washington Wizards and Atlanta Hawks before returning to the Bulls in 2012.

In 2016, he was traded back to the Atlanta Hawks.

Hinrich was born to Jim and Nancy Hinrich of Sioux City, Iowa.

His father played basketball at Briar Cliff College and later became a coach for Sioux City West High School.

When Hinrich was about seven years old, Jim Hinrich visited Ray Nacke, his old college coach, and asked if Kirk could enroll in Nacke's summer camp for fourth, fifth, and sixth graders.

Despite Nacke's hesitations, Hinrich was allowed to attend the camp, and played well against the older children.

After just two years, Hinrich advanced to Nacke's camp for young teenagers, and excelled there, as well.

Hinrich also played football at the quarterback position, and baseball as a pitcher.

However, basketball was Hinrich's passion.

His role model was Seattle SuperSonics star Gary Payton, a player known for his strong defense.

With his father as coach, Hinrich's basketball team at Sioux City West High School achieved an 82–9 record over four years, and won the Iowa state championship when Hinrich was a senior.

When he graduated, Hinrich was West High's all-time leader in points, steals, and assists.

As a freshman with the University of Kansas Jayhawks, Hinrich tallied 123 assists and received the Clyde Lovellette Most Improved Player Award.

The next year, he ranked eighth in the nation in assists per game (6.9), led his team in steals, and set a Kansas Jayhawks record with a .505 three-point shooting mark.

Hinrich was also voted onto the Associated Press All-Big 12 Second Team and earned All Third Team status from the NCAA coaches.

In his fourth and final season at Kansas, Hinrich, along with power forward Nick Collison, led the Jayhawks to the Final Four, and was voted onto the All-Big 12 Second Team by coaches and the media.

He led his team in free throw shooting and three-point shooting, contributed 5.0 assists per game and received Kansas' Ted Owens Defensive Player Award.

Kansas lost to Syracuse in the championship Game but Hinrich was named the Midwest Region's Most Outstanding Player.

He ranked second on his team in scoring and led it in three-pointers, while also contributing 3.5 assists per game, 3.9 rebounds per game and 1.9 steals a game.

Following the season, he was named a third-team All-American by the Associated Press.