Hudson was Alabama's first African American scholarship athlete. While the number 20 will remain in circulation, his jersey will become the first in Alabama Athletics’ history to be retired. In addition to the jersey retirement, a men’s basketball scholarship has been endowed by a donor in his honor and student-athlete uniforms will be adorned by a WH patch for the remainder of the winter and spring sport seasons.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama will have its first retired jersey. The university is set to honor former Crimson Tide player and coach Wendell Hudson on Saturday, Feb 15. during halftime of the Alabama men's basketball game against LSU as his No. 20 will be immortalized inside Coleman Coliseum.

Hudson was recruited by the late C.M. Newton after starring at Birmingham's Parker High School. He played for Alabama's freshman team during the 1969-70 season before joining the varsity ranks for the next three years. For his career, Hudson recorded 1,768 points and 1,197 rebounds across his 93 games played for an average of 19.0 points and 12.9 rebounds.

In 1973, Hudson was named a Helms Foundation First Team and Converse First Team All-American after averaging 20.7 points and 12.1 rebounds as a senior. That same season, he became Alabama’s first SEC Player of the Year, leading the league in scoring. Hudson helped the Tide secure a second-place finish in the SEC and make its first postseason appearance in program history, advancing to the semifinals of the NIT.

Hudson was selected in the second round of the 1973 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls and also played for the ABA’s Memphis Tams. After his playing career, he served as an assistant under Newton 1974-79. He later coached Alabama's women's team from 2008-13.

Hudson was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2001 and was honored as an SEC Legend in 2000. Hudson was also recognized in 2000 by The University of Alabama with its Paul W. Bryant Alumni-Athlete Award, which recognizes former athletes whose accomplishments since leaving UA are outstanding.