Before the Jan. 22 Ballard High School boys basketball game, George Irvine, Ballard class of 1966, had his number 44 jersey retired and became the third name on the Ballard High School Basketball Wall of Fame.

In the three years he played for them, the Beavers went 42-10.

Irvine went on to play at the University of Washington. He was named an all-conference player twice and is a member of the university's all-century team.

Irvine played professionally from 1970 to 1977. Since then he has spent stints as an assistant coach, head couch and scout in the NBA.

He is currently a scout for the Orlando Magic and the Utah Jazz.

"George was a true Ballard legend," said Jim Vatn, master of ceremonies for the evening.

In his speech to the packed Ballard gym, Irvine said he didn't start playing basketball to have his name and number added to the Wall of Fame, and he didn't spend 40 years involved in the NBA for the money and fame. He did those things because he loves the game of basketball, he said.

Irvine closed his speech with a piece of advice for all the young people in attendance.

"Figure out what you love to do," he said. "Pursue it. Embrace it. Don't be dissuaded from it."

Irvine joins Kim Stewart, class of 1974, and Michael Johnson, class of 1997, on the Wall of Fame.