Marques Johnson’s No. 8 jersey to be retired by Milwaukee Bucks

Marques Johnson will have his No. 8 jersey retired by the Milwaukee Bucks during a ceremony on March 24, the team announced Saturday.

Johnson, a five-time NBA All-Star who played parts of seven seasons with the Bucks, will be the ninth Milwaukee player to have his jersey retired. The ceremony at Fiserv Forum will take place during halftime of Bucks’ game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“I am moved beyond words by such a gesture,” said Johnson, who played in 524 games and was a four-time All-Star with the Bucks, in a statement released by the team. “I have always held a special place in my heart for the fans who supported the Bucks during my time there.

“For the organization to honor me this way, means more than words can express. Sometimes it takes being away from a situation to really appreciate what you had. I had long felt a sense of disappointment for falling short of the NBA Finals. What I have come to realize is that the fans of Milwaukee only ask that you play hard and give your best.”

Johnson was a three-time All-NBA player while with Milwaukee, which had a record of 347-227 and qualified for the playoffs in six of those seasons. The Los Angeles native, who starred at Crenshaw High and UCLA and was the third overall pick in the 1977 draft, was also selected to the all-rookie team.

Johnson also played parts of three seasons with the Clippers and for 10 games with the Golden State Warriors when he made a brief comeback from a neck injury that cost him the 1987-88 and ‘88-’89 seasons.

He averaged 20.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 51.8% from the field during his career. While with Milwaukee, Johnson averaged 21.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 53% from the field.