Marquette freshman Cheatham won't wear Thompson's retired number

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Marquette coach Steve Wojciechowski says an internal miscommunication led to the initial assignment of a retired number to an incoming freshman.

Haanif Cheatham will wear No. 25 instead of No. 24, which has been retired in honor of George Thompson, the school's career scoring leader at 20.4 points. Thompson played from 1966-69.

Wojciechowski just finished his first year with the Golden Eagles. He said Thursday that he had a "tremendous amount of respect" for Thompson and other former Marquette players.

Wojciechowski said there was no intent to disregard the accomplishments Thompson or any other Marquette players whose numbers have been retired.

Marquette this week also hired Stan Johnson an assistant coach. Johnson was an assistant at Arizona State the previous two seasons.