Racer Great Lamont Sleets Set for Jersey No. 10 Retirement

Murray State Athletics has announced plans to honor men's basketball legend and MSU Hall of Famer, Lamont Sleets, with the retirement of his No. 10 jersey when the Racers host Mississippi Valley State on Friday, Nov. 7, at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky.

Out of Eminence, Kentucky, and recruited by another MSU Hall of Famer, coach Ron Greene, Sleets arrived as a small school star in 1979. By the time he overcame a serious injury and finished with a flourish in 1984, Sleets was one of the reasons the Racers' eventually became known by some as 'Point Guard U'. Sleets helped pave the way for future Racer all-star point guards like Don Mann, Isaiah Canaan, Cameron Payne and Ja Morant, who are all in the MSU Hall of Fame.

"Lamont is one of the all-time greats of Racer Basketball, and we are extremely excited to retire his jersey this season," Director of Athletics Nico Yantko said. "He is the definition of what it means to be a Murray State Racer, and this recognition is long overdue. Our celebration of Lamont on November 7 will truly be a special night for all of Racer Nation."

As a freshman in the 1979-80 season, Sleets set the MSU single season record with 157 assists, which is still 10th all-time at MSU. Sleets was the first freshman at Murray State to score 500 points in a season with 522. He remained the only one until Payne did it in 2013-14. Sleets' assist records were topped by Mann (1985-89) and eventually by Morant (2017-19).

"I am very appreciative of AD Nico Yantko and the Murray State Hall of Fame committee for this honor," said Sleets, who was inducted into the MSU Hall of Fame in 1994. "Even though by career ended more than 40 years ago, time hasn't diminished my love for Murray State and the Racer Basketball program. The support I received from Coach Greene, his staff and the fans, was amazing, and I grew up a lot while wearing that Racer uniform. My time at Murray State shaped my life after my playing days in a very positive way."

Sleets was a freshman when the Racers won the Ohio Valley Conference championship and reached the NIT quarterfinals in 1980 after defeating Jacksonville (53-49) and Alabama (70-62) on the road before falling at Illinois (65-63).

"Lamont is a tremendous representation of what it means to be a Racer, and we are excited to honor him this season," head coach Ryan Miller said. "His Hall of Fame career is a road map for success in our program, and we cannot wait to have him back home."

Sleets finished his career at MSU with 111 games played, and was first in steals with 185 (still 2nd in 2025), first in assists with 458 (still 3rd in 2025), second in scoring with 1,902 points (still 8th in 2025).

Sleets was the first Racer to be selected All-OVC four times.

Follow the Racers on Twitter (@MSURacers), Instagram (@RacersAthletics) and Facebook to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Murray State Athletics. Follow Murray State men's basketball on Twitter and Instagram (@RacersHoops).

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Racer Great Lamont Sleets Set for Jersey No. 10 Retirement

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