King's High School to retire jersey of NBA player Corey Kispert in sold out ceremony December 20, 2023

Photos courtesy CRISTA

King’s High School has announced that NBA sharpshooter Corey Kispert will be returning to campus on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 for a special ceremony in which his iconic #24 jersey will be retired prior to the Knights’ boys basketball game versus Bear Creek.

 

The game and ceremony will take place at Mike Martin Gymnasium (330 N 190th St, Shoreline WA 98177) on the CRISTA Ministries campus. The event is sold out.

2016 King's
Photo by Geoff Vlcek

Prior to reaching professional basketball’s highest level, Kispert was a four-year letterman at King’s from 2013-2017, and was an integral part of 1A state championship squads in both 2015 and 2016. He will join his former teammates in a halftime ceremony honoring the back-to-back title teams.

Corey at Gonzaga
Photo by Geoff Vlcek

After graduating from King’s in 2017, Kispert went on to a stellar four-year career across the state at Gonzaga University in Spokane. 

During his senior season in 2020-2021, Kispert was both a preseason and end-of-season selection to the Associated Press All-American First Team, recognizing the five best players in the country. 

He would go on to lead Gonzaga to the national championship game and a 31-1 overall record while capturing the Julius Erving Award as the nation’s top small forward.

Kispert is currently in his third season with the Washington Wizards after having been selected as the 15th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Following the December 20 ceremony and game at King’s, Kispert will be back in action the following night when the Portland Trail Blazers host the Wizards at the Moda Center.

Stated Kispert: “When King’s reached out about this night, I was really excited. It’s going to be great to go back to my school, as I still have a lot of really good friends and people that I consider family on the coaching staff that work at King’s. I can’t wait to get back to see everybody.”

Stated King’s High School Director of Athletics, David Gerig: 

“On behalf of the King’s community, we could not be more excited to welcome Corey back for ‘24Ever a Knight.’ He was an incredible student athlete, and an even better person throughout his many years at King’s. 

"We are looking forward to a special evening on December 20 to honor Corey and his teammates on two state championship teams. Corey’s #24 jersey will hang prominently in our gym, where it will be able to inspire countless other student athletes in the future.”