SALT LAKE CITY - May 12, 2000 - Fans 4 Dantley, a recently-organized group of Adrian Dantley fans and former attendees of his annual summer basketball camp, announced today the launch of a grassroots campaign to gain public support for retiring the former Utah Jazz great's number and helping him get inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

The group, which lobbied fans prior to Thursday's Jazz,Trailblazers playoff game, is encouraging Larry Miller and the Utah Jazz to retire Dantley's No. 4 on account of A.D.'s accomplishments on the court and in the community.

"Now is the time to retire Dantley's number," said Chris Thomas, a former Adrian Dantley Basketball Camp attendee and president of Fans 4 Dantley. "Honoring Dantley for his contributions in building the foundation for the success of the Utah Jazz as well as for his service to Utah's youth is long overdue."

As part of the effort, the group has launched a Web site, www.Fans4Dantley.org. The site includes an online petition, information about Dantley's illustrious career, statistical comparison of Dantley with other retired Jazz stars, quotes about Dantley from the media and some of basketball's all-time greats, a photo gallery and a page for fans to share their memories of Dantley's playing days.

"Dantley was one of the greatest players ever to don a Utah Jazz uniform and arguably the best post-up player in NBA history. His accomplishments in the community are also very impressive and worthy of acclaim," said Thomas. "As recipients of his kindness, we are launching this campaign as a way of expressing our appreciation. From the positive reception we received from fans prior to last night's playoff game, we are confident that we can build the momentum necessary to get A.D.'s number retired by the Jazz, and hope this effort will eventually lead to his induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame."

Fans 4 Dantley is recruiting members through its Web site and plans to stage rallies and conduct other efforts to build public support. Thomas said the campaign won't end "until A.D.'s number hangs from the Delta Center rafters and he is inducted in the Hall of Fame." The group is also hoping to add a charitable component that will benefit a local children's organization.

About Fans 4 Dantley
Fans 4 Dantley was established with the mission of promoting Adrian Dantley's contributions -- both on and off the court -- as a member of the Utah Jazz. The group's goals are: 1) to build awareness and momentum resulting in the Jazz retiring Dantley's number; and, 2) to help get Dantley inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Fans 4 Dantley strives to positively promote Dantley, the State of Utah and professional basketball. The organization was founded by Chris Thomas and is led by a board of advisors comprised of former Adrian Dantley Basketball Camp attendees, and Utah Jazz fans and boosters.

About Adrian Dantley
Adrian Dantley was one of the most prolific basketball players of all time. Scoring 23,177 career points, he ranks 16th on the NBA all-time scoring list -- ahead of such greats as Larry Bird, Dr. J and Elgin Baylor. Dantley was a six-time All-Star, won two NBA scoring championships (1981, 1984), averaged 30 points per game or better four times, was named NBA Comeback Player of the Year (1984) and was named to the All-NBA Team twice. Dantley recorded a 29.6 ppg career scoring average with the Utah Jazz and a .562 percent field goal average -- both rank as the highest in franchise history.

In addition to his professional achievements, Dantley also led the United States Olympic Team to the gold medal in 1976. As an Olympian he averaged 19.3 points in nine games, including a 32-point performance against Yugoslavia for the gold medal. Collegiately, Dantley was a two-time First Team All-American at Notre Dame and ranks second on the university's all-time scoring list with 2,223 points.