Baskett honored at ceremony

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver and former Clovis High standout Hank Baskett had his No. 18 Wildcats football jersey retired during halftime of the Carlsbad-Clovis boys basketball game Tuesday night, with a packed Rock Staubus Gym cheering on his achievements.

A proclamation declaring Tuesday “Hank Baskett Day” from Clovis Mayor David Lansford was read to the crowd, listing all of Baskett’s accomplishments from high school to the present.

“It’s amazing, it's almost like playing in the NFL,” said Baskett of being honored in his home town. “There’s so many greats to come through here, and just to be chosen to have this day and my jersey retired — it just shows I’ve earned a lot of people’s respect.”

A white Clovis football jersey was hung in the main lobby of the gym, along with Baskett’s Eagles jersey.

Clovis football coaches Eric Roanhaus and Darren Kelley also presented a purple Wildcats jersey to Baskett and his parents, Hank Jr. and Judy.