Mad Ants celebrate Steph Hicks, retire No. 17 jersey during halftime ceremony | VIDEO

Steph Hicks spent eight seasons with the Indiana Mad Ants after going undrafted in 2015. He's the franchise leader in many categories. The team honored him at their home finale.

GM Christ Taylor and head coach Tom Hankins with Steph Hicks at halftime of the Mad Ants’ game against the Windy City Bulls.

It was a longer-than-normal halftime Monday when the Indiana Mad Ants hosted the Windy City Bulls.

During their home finale at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, they surprised Steph Hicks with a jersey retirement. General manager Chris Taylor and head coach Tom Hankins invited him to center court for the ceremony.

“Just wanted to say congratulations, on behalf of the entire organization, on an incredible career,” Taylor said. “Your journey spanned from the NBA Developmental League all the way to now the NBA G League. You've made impacts everywhere from the Fort Wayne community to now in the locker room here in Indianapolis.

“You're forever a Mad Ant and we're incredibly honored that now number 17 will be forever Steph Hicks. Congratulations.”

Hicks, who played eight seasons with the Mad Ants, will be the last to wear No. 17 in franchise history. And he’ll also be the last Mad Ant player to have his jersey retired.

That's because the team will be rebranded to begin a new era with home games played in Noblesville, Ind. next season.

Moreover, coaches and players all wore a special Hicks t-shirt jersey on the bench. And his mom and fiancé surprised him at the game. He started the game and made the first bucket, a 3-pointer in the left corner.

The Mad Ants couldn’t hold on and lost to the Bulls, 116-113.

There were 17s everywhere as coaches and players helped celebrate Steph Hicks.

Ahead of the game and celebration honoring Hicks, Taylor spoke with Fieldhouse Files. (Click here to read that story.)

“Just so incredibly proud of Steph, not just as a player, but as a person as well,” Taylor said. “The fact that Steph dedicated so much of his effort and professional career to the Mad Ant organization is just a testament to who he is.”

The Mad Ants (18-14) are still in the hunt for a playoff spot and have two more regular-season games this week, both at Grand Rapids Gold.