Courtney Lee never dreamed all of this could be possible.

The former Western Kentucky star and NBA guard had his No. 32 jersey retired Thursday during halftime of WKU’s home game against UTEP.

He’s the 10th person associated with the men’s basketball program to have a jersey hung in the rafters of E.A. Diddle Arena.

“This is the coolest of the cool right here,” Lee said before the game. “It’s a true honor to be able to go up in E.A. Diddle. Knowing the tradition here, it speaks volumes, and just to be back here and see all of my old teammates and some of the coaching staff, it’s a special moment for me.”

Lee, who’s a starter for the Memphis Grizzlies in his seventh season in the NBA, is tied with Jim McDaniels for WKU’s all-time scoring lead with 2,238 points. He also ranks in the top seven in WKU history in eight other statistical categories.

Lee is averaging 11.4 points in 39 games this season for Memphis with 36 starts.

But the 6-foot-5 guard from Indianapolis remembers a much more uncertain time before he became a Hilltopper legend.

“When I first got here, I was just happy that I had a scholarship,” he said. “I played at a talented high school and was overlooked a little bit, so when I got here, I was just excited to get here and work. Over the years, all the accolades started to build up, but I never took anything for granted. I stayed humble. I had great mentors and an older teammate, Danny Rumph, who pushed me every day.

“That just helped me realize that every day’s not given. You have to go out there and work and take nothing for granted. I’m the same person to this day.”

Lee had a host of family, friends, teammates and coaches on hand Thursday, including former WKU coach Darrin Horn.

Horn and Lee both departed WKU in 2008 after the Hilltoppers’ run to the Sweet 16. Horn left to become coach at South Carolina, and Lee was selected by the Orlando Magic with the 22nd pick of the ’08 NBA draft.

“As a player, it’s probably about the greatest honor you can have – to have your jersey retired,” said Horn, who’s now an analyst for ESPN. “I think the fact that he’s doing it at a place like this that’s had a ton of great players and has phenomenal tradition is really special. I think he’s deserving of it. Not only was he a great player who won a lot of games and scored a lot of points, but he carried himself the way that makes everyone here proud.”

— Zach Greenwell