Pacers' Granger, an ex-Lobos star, donates $500K to help renovate The Pit

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico -- Danny Granger of the Indiana Pacers donated $500,000 to the Univeristy of New Mexico's athletic department to help with the $60 million renovation of The Pit.

The arena's new locker room for the men's basketball team will be named after the former New Mexico standout.

"I want to give something back to the school because I'm a Lobo fanatic and this is a great way for me to do that," said Granger, who is starting his fourth season with the Pacers.

The university is raising $17 million for the project's initial phase. Plans to modernize The Pit, which opened in December 1966, call for widened concourses, large video screens and other upgrades.

"Any leadership gift of this magnitude is greatly appreciated and very meaningful," athletic director Paul Krebs said. "But coming from a former UNM student athlete, the gift carries additional special significance."