Wizards to recognize Arenas, Butler, Jamison for 25th anniversary celebration in November

The Wizards are getting the band back together. 

The team announced Wednesday that the former Wizards trio of Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison will be reunited at Capital One Arena for “Throwback Night” on Friday, Nov. 18. 

The recognition of the former Washington stars is part of the franchise’s 25th anniversary since rebranding to the Washington Wizards. 

“Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Wizards brand wouldn’t be complete without honoring the contributions of ‘The Big Three’ and having them all together on the same night makes it even more special,” Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard said in a press release.  “Gilbert, Caron and Antawn represent a definitive era for the franchise and they deserve to be recognized for the excitement they generated on the court and the impact they had in our community, both of which led to a new generation of Wizards fans.”

Arenas, Butler and Jamison played together from 2005 to 2010, leading the Wizards to three straight playoff appearances between 2006 and 2008. Washington hasn’t made the playoffs in three straight seasons since. 

In an interview with Phil Chenier that will be aired during Friday’s broadcast of Washington’s game versus Indiana, Arenas half-joked that he’s anxious about how fans will receive him. 

“I’m the only one that has anxiety right now,” Arenas said. “Oh my god, what are they going to think? Am I going to get booed? Like I have so many emotions going through.”