Why NBA Players Choose Their Numbers

Why do NBA players choose the numbers they wear on their jerseys? Some have personal reasons, while others choose numbers that hold special meaning.

The Significance of Numbers in the NBA

For many professional athletes, their number is more than just a random digit assigned to them by a coach or team. In some cases, it’s a tribute to a fallen friend or family member, while others use it as motivation to achieve greatness. For NBA players, their number often has a deep meaning that transcends the game of basketball.

In the NBA, the number on a player’s jersey often has significance to them. For example, Kobe Bryant wore the number 24 later in his career to honor Michael Jordan’s gentlemanly manner off the court. Similarly, Dwayne Wade wore the number 3 to Avery Johnson and Tim Duncan who are two of his idols that he looked up to while coming up as a young player.

While many players choose their numbers based on someone they admire, others use it as personal motivation. For example, Kevin Durant had always wanted to wear the number 35 because his childhood hero was former Seattle SuperSonics player Bryant “Big Country” Reeves who also wore that number. Durant finally got his wish when he was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder and was able to wear 35 for his entire career there.

Some players also choose their numbers based on lucky symbols or superstitions. For instance, Amar’e Stoudemire chose the number 1 because it symbolizes being at the top and being the best version of himself. Similarly, player Joel Embiid chose the number 21 because he believes it’s his lucky number after watching a documentary about Hakeem Olajuwon who also wore that same number en route to becoming one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

Whether it’s for someone they admire, personal motivation or simply because it’s their lucky number, NBA players often have a deep connection to the numbers they choose to wear on their jerseys.

The Most Popular Numbers in the NBA

Every NBA player chooses their jersey number for a reason. Some players choose a number that they wore in high school or college, while others choose a number that has personal significance to them. Some players even choose a number that they think will bring them good luck. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular numbers in the NBA and find out why players choose them.

#23 – Michael Jordan

The number 23 was made famous by one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Michael Jordan. During his time with the Chicago Bulls, Jordan won six NBA Championships, and was named the Finals MVP each time. He was also a five-time NBA MVP and a 14-time NBA All-Star. Simply put, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time, and his number has become synonymous with greatness.

Since Jordan’s retirement, the number 23 has been retired by the Chicago Bulls. However, there are still a few players in the NBA who wear it proudly, including LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.

#6 – LeBron James

From Bill Russell to LeBron James, the number six has been worn by some of the biggest names in NBA history. But why is the number six so popular? Here are a few theories:

The number six is often seen as a symbol of perfection or balance, which could be why so many superstars have chosen to wear it. In numerology, the number six is also associated with unconditional love, harmony, and family.

Some players also choose the number six to pay tribute to a specific player or coach who has influenced their career. For example, LeBron James has said that he chose the number because it was his idol Michael Jordan’s first choice when he entered the league.

Whatever the reason, there’s no doubt that the number six has been lucky for some of the NBA’s greatest players.

#24 – Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bean Bryant (/ˈkoʊbi/ KOH-bee; born August 23, 1978) is an American former professional basketball player. He played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was an 18-time All-Star, 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, 12-time member of the All-Defensive team, and was the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2008. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time,[1][2][3] he led the NBA in scoring during two seasons, ranks third on both the league’s all-time regular season scoring and all-time postseason scoring lists, and holds numerous NBA records. Bryant is also recognized as one of the game’s best perimeter defenders.[4]

Bryant entered the NBA directly from high school and won five NBA championships with the Lakers. He was both eldest child and only son of former NBA player Joe Bryant and Pamela Cox Bryant. He is also the nephew of basketball player John “Chubby” Cox. His parents named him after legendary beef of Kobe, Japan, which they saw on a restaurant menu just before his birth.[5][6] His middle name, Bean, was derived from his father’s nickname “Jellybean”.[7]

The Most Significant Numbers in the NBA

Most NBA players have a reason for choosing the number they wear on their jerseys. The number often has significant meaning to the player, and it can be a way for the player to connect with their fans. In some cases, the player may choose a number that is significant to the team or the city they are playing for. Let’s take a look at some of the most significant numbers in the NBA.

#42 – Jackie Robinson

In 1997, Major League Baseball retired #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in MLB. In 2004, the NBA followed suit and announced that #42 would be retired league-wide in honor of Robinson. From that point on, no player could wear #42 except for those who were already wearing it at the time of the announcement. Any player who switched to #42 after the announcement would have to seek special permission from the league office.

#23 – Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is widely considered to be the greatest basketball player of all time and his impact on the game is undeniable. His influence can still be seen today in the way that players style their game and market themselves. It’s no surprise, then, that his jersey number is one of the most popular in the NBA.

#33 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the most iconic athletes in NBA history, and his number – 33 – is just as recognizable. Abdul-Jabbar chose 33 because it was the highest number allowed at the time, and he wanted to be the best player on the court. He more than lived up to that number, becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and winning six championships with the Los Angeles Lakers.

#34 – Shaquille O’Neal

One of the most dominant big men to ever play the game, Shaquille O’Neal wore #34 during his Hall of Fame career. A fifteen-time NBA All-Star, O’Neal was a four-time NBA champion and the league MVP in 2000. He also won Olympic gold as a member of the 1992 “Dream Team.” In 1996, he was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of the Year.

The Least Popular Numbers in the NBA

There are only so many single and two-digit numbers available, and the most popular ones are often the first to go. That’s why you see so many players wearing numbers in the teens, twenties, and thirties. The most popular numbers in the NBA are 23 ( worn by Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Durant), 24 ( Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan), and 33 ( Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Alonzo Mourning, Shaquille O’Neal).

While those numbers are often spoken for by the game’s biggest stars, there are some numbers that are much less popular. In fact, there are a handful of numbers that have been retired league-wide because no one wants to wear them. Here are the least popular numbers in the NBA.

00 – This was once a popular number among big men who wanted to establish an intimidating presence on the court. Wilt Chamberlain made it famous when he wore 00 during his legendary 100-point game in 1962. But since then, it has fallen out of favor and is now one of the least worn numbers in the league.

14 – This number has been retired by six different teams in honor of Hall of Fame players who wore it during their careers. But despite all of those retirements, 14 is still one of the least worn numbers in the NBA today.

15 – Like 14, this number has also been retired by several teams in honor of Hall of Famers. But unlike 14, 15 doesn’t have any active players currently wearing it. In fact, there hasn’t been an active player in the NBA since Kobe Bryant wore it during his final season with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2016.

23 – This number has been retired by eight different teams in honor of some of the greatest players to ever play the game. Michael Jordan made it famous when he wore it during his storied career with the Chicago Bulls. But despite all of those retirements, 23 is still one of the least worn numbers in the NBA today.

24 – This number has been retired by four different teams in honor of some of the greatest players to ever play the game. Kobe Bryant made it famous when he wore it during his storied career with the Los Angeles Lakers. But despite all of those retirements, 24 is still one of

Why NBA Players Choose Their Numbers

Many NBA players choose their numbers based on personal reasons. Some players choose numbers that they wore in high school or college, while others choose numbers that have special meaning to them. Some players simply choose their favorite numbers, while others picks numbers that they think will bring them good luck.

Whatever the reason, NBA players often have strong feelings about their chosen numbers. Here are some of the stories behind some of the most popular numbers in the NBA:

Michael Jordan: #23
Michael Jordan is one of the most successful and iconic basketball players of all time. He chose the number 23 because it was his favorite number growing up. He also wanted to honor his older brother, Larry, who wore the number 45 in high school.

LeBron James: #6
LeBron James chose the number 6 because it was his favorite number growing up and he wanted to honor his mother, Gloria, who had always called him “King” since he was a child. He also has said that he chose the number because of its meaning in numerology (the practice of assigning numerical values to letters in words).

Kobe Bryant: #24
Kobe Bryant chose the number 24 because it added up to his lucky number, 8 (2+4=8). He also wanted to pay tribute to Michael Jordan, who had inspired him as a child. After Kobe’s death in 2020, LeBron James decided to change his own jersey number from 23 to 6 out of respect for Kobe.

Kevin Durant: #35
Kevin Durant chose the number 35 because it was the reverse of his former college number, 25. He has said that he wanted a “new beginning” when he entered the NBA and that choosing the reverse of his old college number represented that for him.