The greatest Cowboy in history will now be forever linked to the school he helped make famous.

Joe Dumars, a Hall of Fame basketball star, returned to Lake Charles Thursday night to be celebrated.

The university named the court inside the Legacy Center after Dumars in a ceremony before McNeese State’s game against Northwestern State.

Before a packed crowd in the 4,200-seat arena, the official unveiling of the court came as Dumars and his family watched a video of the program’s all-time leading scorer on the video board above.

“I thought it would be special, but as I got here it became more and more special,” Dumars said. “This is a special night.”

Dumars, who helped the Detroit Pistons to a pair of NBA championships as a player and another as an executive, stood by his already retired jersey which was brought down from the rafters for the ceremony.

“You are simply the absolute best,” McNeese Athletic Director Heath Schroyer told Dumars. “From now on generations will know what you did for and what you meant to McNeese.

“I’m proud to say you are one of our own.”

The evening was the brainchild of Schroyer who wanted to bring Dumars back into the McNeese family.

“Joe is such a big part of the basketball history of McNeese I just wanted to reach out and get his advice and we became friends,” Schroyer said. “This seemed like a perfect way to thank him for all that he has meant to the school and basketball program.”

Dumars played at McNeese during the early 1980s when the Cowboys played their home games at the Lake Charles Civic Center. The old building was sold out as Dumars held court.

Now, with a new on-campus arena, Dumars will forever have his signature on the program and the court.

“Proud to be from here, proud to be from McNeese and proud of Lake Charles,” Dumars said. “You don’t do this alone. A lot of people in your life make this happen.

“My family’s name is here on the court, not just mine. I thank you and appreciate all that has been done for me and them.”