Charles ‘Jabo’ Wilkins’ VCU jersey to be retired Feb. 28
2/16/2023, 6 p.m.
In the beginning of VCU basketball, there was Charles “Jabo” Wilkins.
The merger of the Medical College of Virginia and Richmond Professional Institute in the summer of 1968 created VCU.
In a blink (during the 1968-69 season), the slender, bouncy 6-foot-3 Wilkins became the epitome of the hometown hero. Coach Benny Dees didn’t look far for help.
VCU’s first star grew up on Idlewood Avenue, just west of campus, and polished his unique, fall-away jump shot at Maggie L. Walker High.
His “oh-my-gosh” performances still dominate the VCU record book.
He hasn’t been forgotten.
On Feb. 28, during halftime of VCU’s last home game against St. Louis, Wilkins will have his No. 40 jersey retired, strangely for a second time. The honor will come posthumously. Mr. Wilkins died of cancer in 2018, living in Greenville, N.C.
Wilkins first had his number retired on Feb. 21, 1971, prior to the Rams’ regular season finale against Virginia Union at Franklin Street Gym. Presiding over the ceremony was then-VCU head coach and athletic director Chuck Noe, now deceased.
The retirement was documented in the Feb. 22 editions of the Richmond Times-Dispatch (by Harold Pearson) and Richmond News Leader (by Mike Hyland). Mr. Pearson and Mr. Hyland have both died.
As coaches, athletic directors and playing venues changed, the honor fell through the cracks.
Now, for the second time, No. 40 will be retired ... only this time it will hang from the rafters, where it always belonged.
