NC State will soon have a statue outside Reynolds Coliseum honoring one of the greatest players in the history of men’s college basketball.

The program announced on Monday that it will unveil a statue to honor three-time All-American David Thompson before the Wolfpack’s annual Heritage Game on Wednesday, Dec. 6. The unveiling will take place at 11:30 a.m. and it will be open to the public.

“This is such a deserved honor for the greatest basketball player to ever wear an NC State jersey,” said NC State athletic director Boo Corrigan in a statement. “He is one of the most iconic players to ever play in the ACC and our hope is that this statue will ensure that generations of NC State students and fans will always remember the legacy and contributions of David Thompson.”

The Boiling Spring native played for NC State from 1972-75. After sitting out his freshman season, he became a unanimous first-team All-American and the ACC Player of the Year in each of his next three years.

He was named the Associated Press National Player of the Year in 1974 and 1975 and remains one of just five players in college basketball history to win multiple AP National Player of the Year honors.

Thompson’s NC State teams are best remembered for ending the dynastic run of the UCLA Bruins and claiming the school’s first NCAA Men’s Division I basketball national championship.

In the 1974 Final Four, Thompson and the Wolfpack beat UCLA 80-77 in double-overtime, ending a run of seven consecutive national championships for UCLA. Thompson finished the game with 28 points and 10 rebounds.

Two nights later, Thompson scored 21 points to lead NC State to a win over Marquette and the national championship. He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament.

The following season, Thompson set what stands today as the program record for single-season scoring average. He went for an ACC record 57 points in an early-season win over Buffalo State and ended the year averaging 29.9 points per game.

NC State’s annual Heritage Game will be held against Maryland Eastern Shore this season on Dec. 6.