Sixers unveil statue of Maurice Cheeks at Camden training complex

With Maurice Cheeks in Philadelphia as an assistant coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder, the 76ers unveiled a statue of their former point guard outside the training complex in Camden.

During the second timeout of the first quarter of Friday's game at the Wells Fargo Center with the Thunder, the fans and Cheeks were treated to a video montage of his career and a look at the statue.

Cheeks, 61, received a standing ovation from the fans. The Thunder players also stood and cheered. Cheeks acknowledged the applause by waving to the crowd.

Always humble, Cheeks declined to be interviewed through the Thunder public-relations staff. But catching him in the hallway before Friday's game, he spoke briefly.

"I am honored," Cheeks told the Inquirer and Daily News before going into the coaches' room.

He said he has seen the statue and gave it a passing grade.

"It is beautiful," he said.

Thunder head coach Billy Donovan was thrilled that Cheeks received the honor.

"Being from Long Island and watching Dr. J's career, I was really happy for Mo," Donovan said before the game. "He has obviously meant a lot to this city, has done a lot for this organization and has been a part of a lot of success, but he is also a really humble guy. I am happy he is being honored and I am happy for him."

Cheeks, whose No. 10 was retired by the Sixers in 1995, averaged 12.2 points and 7.3 assists during a Sixers career that included winning the 1983 NBA championship. During the playoffs that year, he averaged 16.3 points and 7.0 assists. He was also the head coach of the Sixers for parts of four seasons, earning one playoff berth.

"Mo Cheeks was an unbelievable player, just one of the great players in the history of this franchise," Sixers coach Brett Brown said.

The Cheeks statue joins those of Hal Greer, Billy Cunningham and Wilt Chamberlain outside the Sixers' training complex.