Xavier University Athletics
Xavier Athletics Will Retire Tu Holloway's No. 52 Jersey
09.23.24 | Men's Basketball
The All-American led XU to three NCAA Sweet 16s.
CINCINNATI --- Xavier University Athletics added a fourth new name to an elite short list of men's and women's basketball players that have been chosen to have their jersey numbers retired at a future date, No. 52 Tu Holloway. The numbers will hang permanently in the Cintas Center, joining the eight existing banners.
The first three new names revealed on the list since July were No. 5 Trevon Bluiett, a consensus Second Team All-America selection, in addition to women's basketball All-Americans and WNBA lottery draft selections No. 11 Amber Harris and No. 53 Ta'Shia Phillps. At least one more announcement is expected to be made in 2024.
Holloway, who graduated in 2012, earned reputation as an elite clutch player and winner who led Xavier to four NCAA Tournament berths, including three Sweet 16 appearances. XU averaged 25 wins during his four-year career, posting a 100-38 (.725) overall mark. In addition, he was the part of three Atlantic 10 Conference Regular Season Champion teams.
Holloway left his mark on the Xavier individual record book as well and still stands seventh on XU's all-time scoring list with 1,833 points, third in assists with 550 and first in career free-throw percentage at 85.2 percent. He recorded two triple-doubles as a junior and was one rebound shy of a third and is the only XU player on record with more than one career triple-double.
The honor roll for Holloway is impressive, including 2011 Third Team All-American honors from Associated Press, Sporting News, Basketball Times, SI.com, CBSSports.com and FOXSports.com. Holloway was the 2011 Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year and named to the A-10 All-Defensive Team. He was named to the 2012 A-10 First Team as a senior in addition to a second-straight year on the A-10 All-Championship Team. He was selected to the Lute Olson All-American Team (CollegeInsider.com) and the NABC (National Association of Basketball Coaches) District 4 First Team each of his final two seasons.
During his sophomore season, Holloway was second on the team in scoring at 12.1 ppg., including 26 points versus Kansas State in the classic 2010 NCAA Tournament Regional Semifinal. The best was yet to come. He was second in the A-10 in scoring at 19.7 ppg. as a junior in the 2010-11 season, led the A-10 in assists at 5.4 apg. and ranked second in the A-10 in free throw percentage at 87 percent. As a senior, Holloway led the team in scoring in the 2011-12 season at 17.5 ppg., which ranked second in the A-10. He was also first on the team in assists at 4.9 apg., ranking fourth in the A-10, the only A-10 player in the top five in the A-10 in scoring and assists.
Four former men's basketball players (No. 23 Byron Larkin, No. 42 Tyrone Hill, No. 33 Brian Grant and No. 30 David West) and two women's basketball players (No. 32 Jo Ann Osterkamp and No. 33 Tara Boothe) currently have banners hanging in Cintas Center. In addition, former President Fr. James Hoff and former Academic Advisor and current Faculty Athletic Representative Sr. Rose Ann Fleming are honored with banners.
"Just as hanging a championship banner is a symbol of excellence, honoring former players with retired jersey numbers is one of the highest honors a program can bestow," said Director of Athletics Greg Christopher. "Each of these former Musketeer greats contributed to building the foundation of Xavier's basketball programs."
The announcement of these jersey number retirements culminates a multi-year process to develop a standardized approach to jersey retirements and conversations within Xavier Athletics. Individual jersey unveilings and recognitions will take place in the coming basketball seasons. The future jersey retirement ceremonies are TBD.
The first three new names revealed on the list since July were No. 5 Trevon Bluiett, a consensus Second Team All-America selection, in addition to women's basketball All-Americans and WNBA lottery draft selections No. 11 Amber Harris and No. 53 Ta'Shia Phillps. At least one more announcement is expected to be made in 2024.
Holloway, who graduated in 2012, earned reputation as an elite clutch player and winner who led Xavier to four NCAA Tournament berths, including three Sweet 16 appearances. XU averaged 25 wins during his four-year career, posting a 100-38 (.725) overall mark. In addition, he was the part of three Atlantic 10 Conference Regular Season Champion teams.
Holloway left his mark on the Xavier individual record book as well and still stands seventh on XU's all-time scoring list with 1,833 points, third in assists with 550 and first in career free-throw percentage at 85.2 percent. He recorded two triple-doubles as a junior and was one rebound shy of a third and is the only XU player on record with more than one career triple-double.
The honor roll for Holloway is impressive, including 2011 Third Team All-American honors from Associated Press, Sporting News, Basketball Times, SI.com, CBSSports.com and FOXSports.com. Holloway was the 2011 Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year and named to the A-10 All-Defensive Team. He was named to the 2012 A-10 First Team as a senior in addition to a second-straight year on the A-10 All-Championship Team. He was selected to the Lute Olson All-American Team (CollegeInsider.com) and the NABC (National Association of Basketball Coaches) District 4 First Team each of his final two seasons.
During his sophomore season, Holloway was second on the team in scoring at 12.1 ppg., including 26 points versus Kansas State in the classic 2010 NCAA Tournament Regional Semifinal. The best was yet to come. He was second in the A-10 in scoring at 19.7 ppg. as a junior in the 2010-11 season, led the A-10 in assists at 5.4 apg. and ranked second in the A-10 in free throw percentage at 87 percent. As a senior, Holloway led the team in scoring in the 2011-12 season at 17.5 ppg., which ranked second in the A-10. He was also first on the team in assists at 4.9 apg., ranking fourth in the A-10, the only A-10 player in the top five in the A-10 in scoring and assists.
Four former men's basketball players (No. 23 Byron Larkin, No. 42 Tyrone Hill, No. 33 Brian Grant and No. 30 David West) and two women's basketball players (No. 32 Jo Ann Osterkamp and No. 33 Tara Boothe) currently have banners hanging in Cintas Center. In addition, former President Fr. James Hoff and former Academic Advisor and current Faculty Athletic Representative Sr. Rose Ann Fleming are honored with banners.
"Just as hanging a championship banner is a symbol of excellence, honoring former players with retired jersey numbers is one of the highest honors a program can bestow," said Director of Athletics Greg Christopher. "Each of these former Musketeer greats contributed to building the foundation of Xavier's basketball programs."
The announcement of these jersey number retirements culminates a multi-year process to develop a standardized approach to jersey retirements and conversations within Xavier Athletics. Individual jersey unveilings and recognitions will take place in the coming basketball seasons. The future jersey retirement ceremonies are TBD.
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