Suns honor Connie Hawkins with opening night throwback jerseys

Oct 18, 2017, 2:22 PM | Updated: 10:59 pm

Entering their 50th season in existence, the Phoenix Suns had already planned to begin 2017-18 wearing their throwback uniforms designed to honor the Valley’s first pro sports team that debuted in 1968.

Now, they’ve added a detail to recognize their first true superstar.

Suns Ring of Honor member Connie Hawkins passed away at 75 years old on Oct. 6, and Phoenix will honor him by wearing a black patch with orange lettering on the left sleeves of their jerseys. The text on the strip reads, “HAWK.”

Remembering a @Suns legend. #SUNSat50 pic.twitter.com/eH3azOColE

— Jay Gaspar (@PHXJGaspar) October 18, 2017

Suns equipment manager Jay Gaspar revealed the nod when he tweeted out a picture of Devin Booker’s jersey that the third-year guard will wear Wednesday in the season opener against the Portland Trail Blazers.

The game tips off at 7 p.m. and special roundtables for the “Suns’ Opening Night Special” will air on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station starting at 4:30 p.m.

Phoenix Suns embrace during the national anthem prior to an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Pat Connaughton (5) passes the ball past Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) drives around Phoenix Suns guard Tyler Ulis (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Phoenix Suns forward Josh Jackson (20) shoots over Portland Trail Blazers guard Evan Turner during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives between Portland Trail Blazers forward Al-Farouq Aminu (8) and guard Pat Connaughton (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) pushes the ball up court as Portland Trail Blazers guard Shabazz Napier (6) signals for defensive help during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Portland Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts gestures during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Phoenix Suns coach Earl Watson reacts to a call during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Phoenix Suns forward TJ Warren (12) drives around Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic (27) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots over Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic (27) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker is helped on the bench after coming out of the NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers with an apparent injury, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) drives around Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Players on the Phoenix Suns' bench watch during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Players on the Portland Trail Blazers bench celebrate during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Josh Jackson (20) defends and center Tyson Chandler (4) watches during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Phoenix Suns center Tyson Chandler questions a call during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Evan Turner (1) points after a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

The Phoenix Suns bench watches the final seconds of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, in Phoenix. The Trail Blazers won 124-76. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Phoenix Suns coach Earl Watson gives a thumbs-up to the Portland Trail Blazers bench after an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, in Phoenix. The Trail Blazers won 124-76. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Phoenix Suns forward Derrick Jones Jr., right, and Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic leave the court after an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, in Phoenix. The Trail Blazers won 124-76. (AP Photo/Matt York)

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