CJP set to retire the number 4 in honor of Lane Leedahl.

What do Joe Dumars, Detroit Pistons; Sidney Moncrief, Milwaukee Bucks; Chris Webber, Sacramento Kings; Adrian Dantley, Utah Jazz and last but not least, Lane Leedahl, Curtis J. Phillips Basketball, all have in common?

They are black?

No.

They were all from North Dakota?

Uhhhh. No.

They all voted for Obama?

Not too sure on that one.

What then?

All of them have had, after this month, their jersey number 4 retired in honor of their outstanding contributions on the hardwood.

"There are very few world class basketball players that I can think of that could play all five positions on the court." said team owner Curtis J. Phillips. "In the past there were greats like Magic, Pippen, Havilcek and of course Wilt did it with the Harlem Globetrotters and then of course myself."

"Nowadays there are only two players that I personally know of that can showcase their skills on both offense and defense while playing in any of the five spots and that is Lebron and Lane."

"There was M & M in baseball with Mantle and Maris but in basketball we have L & L with Lebron and Lane."

Leedahl, who will be relocating with his wife and child to Rhode Island, has played an integral part for Curtis J. Phillips in leading them to an amazing five year run in the Lawrence, Kansas Men's Basketball League with 71 win, 31 loss record (in progress) including two perfect 7-0 seasons and 3 championships.

His hoop career started in Grade 4 in the driveways of Grand Forks, North Dakota where he dominated the O.P.P. Classic Two-on-Two tournaments either teaming or playing against lifelong friend and teammate Daniel Sondreal.

"I've been playing with Dan (on the basketball court) since we were kids," said the affable Leedahl. "While the rest of us get older and a bit out of shape, Dan just gets better and more aggressive and has started to take on a larger scoring role."

Of his time in a Curtis J. Phillips uniform Leedahl said: "It was a great team to play on in what is the greatest team game that has ever been developed. It (basketball) is a life sport not like others sports you play that have a shelf life."

"I will miss the camaraderie and rivalries and questionable officiating."

And we will miss you Lane.

Notes

Leedahl will be the first ever player to have his number and jersey retired into the Curtis J. Phillips Basketball Hall of Fame. Leedahl is believed to be the teams all-time leader in games played, offensive rebounds, blocked shots, time outs called, and opening tip offs won. Leedahl has 4 games remaining in his CJP career with the team currently 4-0. His number 4 jersey will become officially retired on May 22, 2013.

* Article written by Curtis J. Phillips. Notes provided by Daniel Sondreal. Image created by Jarrett Olson.