Vince Ellis

Detroit Free Press

The Free Press reported in February that Rip Hamilton's No. 32 would be the next one to be raised to the rafters at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

The Detroit Pistons made that official today.

The organization will retire Hamilton's jersey during a halftime ceremony Feb. 26, when the Pistons host the Boston Celtics.

And thus, all has been forgiven since the acrimonious 2011 divorce between Hamilton and the Pistons, when the franchise waived an integral part of its 2004 NBA champion team.

“Detroit is where I celebrated the greatest achievements in my pro basketball career, and to be recognized by the organization in this way, I’m honored,” Hamilton said in a release. “I look forward to sharing this experience with all the fans who supported me throughout my years as a Piston and look forward to celebrating in the Palace one final time. Yes, sir.”

Former teammate Chauncey Billups has been vocal in his support of Hamilton.

“Rip has to be next,” Billups said during a news conference before his jersey retirement in February. “I would love for him to be next week, next month. Rip Hamilton holds so many records here. He had a long run here. He did a lot of great things in the community here. I’m looking forward to that day.”

Palace vice chairman Arn Tellem told the Free Press that the announcement had been in the works since the decision was made to retire the jerseys of Billups and Ben Wallace last season. A date was finalized in the last week, and there is the hope that all of Hamilton's former teammates will be able to attend.

"(Pistons owner Tom Gores) endorsed the idea and supported it," Tellem said. "He wanted to do it - as did all of us. He was an important part of that team and had really an incredible career here with the Pistons."

Hamilton, 38, is all over the all-time Pistons record book. He ranks 10th in games (631), seventh in minutes (21,679), sixth in field goals (4,352), seventh in three-pointers (413), sixth in free throws (2,465), seventh in assists (2,419) and fifth in free throw percentage (84.9).

“Our franchise has a great legacy, and it’s important to recognize the players who made our organization successful both on and off the court,” Gores said in the release. “Rip’s numbers speak for themselves. He was a top performer year in and year out, from the regular season through the playoffs and especially during the championship run of 2004. He was relentless on the court and equally passionate about his teammates and the community. We are excited to honor his success.”

But Hamilton left the organization on bad terms. He clashed with former Pistons coach John Kuester. Things soured to the point where both sides were ready for the association to end before the 2011-12 season. A buyout agreement was reached with longtime Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars, and Hamilton signed with the Bulls and spent the final two seasons of his 14-year NBA career in Chicago.

The announcement begs the question: Will the Pistons also honor Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince, other starters on the 2004 title team?

"No decision has been made yet," Tellem said. "Nothing is planned at this point."

Rip Hamilton: Pistons should have won '3 or 4' titles

Contact Vince Ellis at vellis@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @vincent_ellis56.​