Best NBA Players By Jersey Number

More so than in other sports, players are connected to the jersey number they wear. When you think 23, Michael Jordan comes to mind. For a younger generation, Lebron James comes to mind.

What about the number 33? Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Larry Bird wore it their entire hall of fame careers. So does the Captain earn the honors of 33, or do we give it to Larry Legend?

With the Coronavirus pandemic putting sports on hold for now, we need these fun little debates. So pass some time and go through the list of best players to wear every jersey number from 00-99. Trust me there are quite a few that will spark debate.

00: Robert Parish

Known best for his 14-season run with the Boston Celtics, Robert “The Chief” Parish holds the NBA record for regular-season games played, 1,611. But his legacy goes beyond longevity. Sharing the front-court with Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, Parish won four NBA titles and made nine All-Star teams. He was the anchor of the Celtics championship teams in the 1980’s.

Honor Mentions: Aaron Gordon, and Kevin Duckworth.

0: Russell Westbrook

A nine-time All-Star and the 2016-17 league MVP, Westbrook is one of only two NBA players to average a triple-double for an entire season. In fact he accomplished this feat in three consecutive seasons. Westbrook’s combination of speed and power may be unmatched at the point guard position. When you see a 0 jersey running the floor, you associate it with Russell Westbrook.

Honorable Mentions: Damian Lillard, Gilbert Arenas

1: Tracy McGrady

There were a number of options here but I leaned Tracy McGrady. T-Mac is a 7x time All Star, 7x All-NBA selection, 2x NBA scoring champion, and a NBA Hall of Famer. Had he been able to avoid injuries, McGrady’s legacy could be much different. His numbers would be even more impressive and maybe he and Yao Ming put together a healthy season and a deep playoff run.

Honorable Mentions:

Derrick Rose, Chris Bosh, Tiny Archibald, Penny Hardaway.

2: Kawhi Leonard

When all is said and done, Leonard will go down as one of the best two way players the league has ever seen. Leonard is the only player in league history to earn a Finals MVP in each conference, winning with the Spurs in 2014 and Raptors in 2019. There was some competition from hall of fame center Moses Malone for the honor, but in the end Leonard pulled away. With his career only midway complete, I expect Leonard to easily be the most recognizable NBA player to wear the number 2.

Honorable Mentions:

Moses Malone, Alex English, Larry Johnson

3: Dwayne Wade

The battle for number three may be the toughest one on this list. Some of the most iconic players have worn the number 3. Allen Iverson, and Chris “CP3” Paul quickly come to mind. But I’m giving the honor to Dwayne Wade.

A 3x NBA Champion, 13× NBA All-Star, 8× All-NBA and 3× All-Defense, Wade has the most complete resume of the three. The argument for Iverson’s impact on the culture and sport is a strong argument and one I could be swayed to the other side. But Wade narrowly gets the nod.

Honorable Mentions:

Iverson, CP3

4: Joe Dumars

Joe Dumars, one half of the Bad Boy Pistons back court, was a highly effective scorer. Dumars won 2 NBA titles, was a 6x All-Star, and had career averages of 16.1 points and 4.5 assists.

Honorable Mentions:

Chris Webber, Adrian Dantley, Sidney Moncrief

5: Jason Kidd

This pick will be unpopular in Boston, where Kevin Garnett’s six seasons wearing this jersey with the Celtics included the 2008 title, a Defensive Player of the Year Award and five All-Star appearances. But When I think KG, I still think 21.

When I think 5, I think Jason Kidd running the fast break in New Jersey. Kidd was the force that led the Nets to back to back Finals appearances in 2002-03. A 6x All-Star, two assist crowns and two first-team All-Defense selections while wearing this number.

Honorable Mentions:

Kevin Garnett, Bill Walton, Baron Davis

6: Bill Russell

When first looking into this idea, I just assumed the 6 slot would be a slam dunk for Bill Russell. But while researching, I unexpectedly came across a few strong candidates. Lebron James wore 6 in his Miami tenure. Julius “Dr. J” Erving, an all time great wore the jersey. But in the end the image of Russell in the number six jersey, snagging a rebound out of the air, was too iconic to overcome.

Russell won 11 NBA titles, including eight consecutive titles from 1959 to 1966. His impact on social issues is just as prevalent as his NBA contributions. Let’s add another W to his lifelong career of wins with the honor of being the best to ever wear number 6.

Honorable Mentions:

Lebron James, Dr.J

7: Carmelo Anthony

Melo was an all-time scoring great during his six-plus seasons wearing No. 7 for the Knicks. Despite lack of team success, Melo’s individual run in New York was special. He was a 6x All-Star, won a scoring title in 2012-13 and finished third in MVP voting.

There was some strong competition form the likes of Pete Maravich, Lamar Odom, Joe Johnson and Tiny Archibald. But Melo had a combination of skill and media coverage that instilled the Knicks number 7 jersey into our minds.

Honorable Mentions:

Pete Maravich, Lamar Odom, Joe Johnson and Tiny Archibald

8: Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant, one of the fiercest competitors in sports history, had a hall of fame career in two separate jersey numbers. For the first half of his career, Bryant wore 8 and dominated. Bryant played 833 games rocking his original number 8. He scored 19,755 points, appeared in eight All-Star Games, won a single scoring title and three championships during that portion of his career. It was one of the easiest decisions made in making this list.

Honorable Mentions:

Antoine Walker, Kemba Walker, Deron Williams

9: Bob Pettit

Pettit was dominant from the time he came out of LSU in 1954 to his retirement in 1965. He was an All-Star in all 11 of his pro seasons. He won the MVP Award 2x, and was selected to the ALL NBA team 10x. Pettit only won one NBA championship, but it isn’t his fault his era was dominated by Bill Russell. The case could be made for a number of recent players but none of them reached the MVP level Pettit won 2x.

Honorable Mentions:

Tony Parker, Andre Iguodala, Rajon Rondo

10: Walt “Clyde” Frazier

While these days he is recognized for his crazy vibrant suits court-side calling Knicks games, Clyde was once atop the NBA on the court.

Frazier, a seven-time All-Star point guard, sparked the New York Knicks to NBA titles in 1970 and 1973. Frazier played with a unique combination of flair and grit. He led the Knicks in scoring in five consecutive seasons, while making the NBA All-Defensive first team 7x.

Honorable Mentions:

Tiny Archibald, Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, Dennis Rodman

11: Isiah Thomas

Not many players can say they got the best of the G.O.A.T Michael Jordan. However, Isiah Thomas did just that in three consecutive postseasons from 1988 to 1990 while winning back-to-back titles. Thomas was a rare combination of grit and finesse. He finished a 12x All-Star, averaging 19.2 points and 9.3 assists for his career.

Honorable Mentions:

Bob McAdoo, Yao Ming, Klay Thompson

12: John Stockton

Dawning the Utah Jazz 12 jersey, John Stockton is a 10x All-Star and the NBA’s all time assists leader by a wide margin. While there are some worthy candidates like Dwight Howard, Stockton is the single greatest to wear the number.

Honorable Mentions:

Dwight Howard, LaMarcus Aldridge, Vlade Divac

13: Wilt Chamberlin

Wearing the number 13 must give you a boost to all your offensive attributes. Some of the games very best offensive players have worn 13 while tearing up the league. But there is one man unlike the rest.

Wilt Chamberlin, the man scored 100 points in a single NBA game and averaged 50 points per game for a season, take home the honor of best to ever do it wearing 13. His career resume just becomes more and more impressive with every stat. A 4x MVP, 13x All-Star, 11 rebounding crowns and that 1967-68 season when — just for fun — he led the league in total assists.  No player will ever match the singular dominance of Wilt Chamberlin.

Honorable Mentions:

James Harden, Steve Nash, Paul George

14: Oscar Robertson

Most people didn’t get to see the Big O play, but that doest mean he isn’t deserving. He is the first of two players to average a triple double for a season. A 12x All-Star point guard who averaged at least 30 points per game six times and at least 10 assists per game five times, Oscar Robertson was one of the most dominant guards in league history.

Honorable Mentions:

Bob Cousy,

15: Vince Carter

The list of NBA players to wear 15 on their backs is long, and many of them were worthy of the top spot. But there is something about Vince Carter wearing 15 in the 2000 Dunk Contest that sticks with me. Carter who’s career spanned across four decades, was a 8× NBA All-Star, Rookie of the Year, dunk champion, and 2x All NBA Team.

Honorable Mentions:

Carmelo Anthony, Earl Monroe, Metta World Peace

16: Pau Gasol

I will likely get back fire for selecting Pau over Jerry Lucas and Bill Lambier, but it is a personal connection I have to Gasol’s 16 jersey. Gasol’s role in the Lakers championships is often overlooked, but he was vital to bringing the franchise back o its winning ways. He is also one of the best foreign born players to leave his mark in the NBA, paving a way for the likes of Luka Doncic.

Gasol is a 2x NBA Champion, 6× NBA All-Star, and a Rookie of the Year.

Honorable Mentions:

Jerry Lucas, Bill Lambier

17: John Havlicek

Havlicek was a vital piece to the Bill Russell championship winning teams. He averaged 20.8 points in a 16-year career, winning 8 NBA titles. He also made 13 All-Star games and eight All-Defensive teams.

Honorable Mentions:

Chris Mullin

18: Dave Cowens

The amount of great NBA players to wear 18 is very limited, but one stood out. Dave Cowens, won the 1972-73 MVP Award and made 8 all star games.

Honorable Mentions:

Phil Jackson

19: Willis Reed

Good news Knicks fans, this is the second Knick to make the list and we are only at jersey 19. Bad news is, you likely didn’t get to see this man play during the Knicks golden years. Reed, who was the Finals MVP of the only two Knicks Finals wins, finished with one regular-season MVP award and made the All-Star Game 7x.

Honorable Mentions:

Don Nelson, Lenny Wilkens

20: Gary Payton

“The Glove” Gary Payton, a 9x NBA All-Defensive first team selection and a nine-time All-Star, earns the honors of best to wear the number 20. Payton led the 1995-96 Seattle SuperSonics to the NBA Finals and contributed off the bench when the 2005-06 Miami Heat won the NBA title.

Honorable Mentions:

Ray Allen, Manu Ginobili

21: Tim Duncan

The longevity of Duncan’s greatness is the best part of his legacy. A 15x All-Star, 15 All-Defensive selections, a back-to-back MVP, and 5x NBA Champion. Was there any doubt that the Big Fundamental would secure the honors of best to wear 21?

Honorable Mentions:

Kevin Garnett, Dominique Wilkins, Michael Cooper

22: Elgin Baylor

A 6-foot-5 wing, Baylor arguably was the NBA’s first transcendent above-the-rim player. He is often forgotten about because his Lakers teams always fell short of the title during the Bill Russell era, but Baylor was special. Baylor averaged 27.4 points and 13.5 rebounds per game during his 14-year career. He was a 10-time first-team All-NBA selection.

Honorable Mentions:

Clyde Drexler, Dave DeBusschere

23: Michael Jordan

While the G.O.A.T debate is as hot as ever with Lebron James’ longevity upping his argument, the debate of best to wear 23 is very easy. James won 2 of his 3 rings while wearing number 6, so that hurts him in a debate he was already losing.

We all know Jordan’s resume. A 6x NBA champion, 6x Finals MVP, 5x League MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year, Jordan was an easy choice and the most associated with the number 23.

Honorable Mention:

Lebron James

24: Kobe Bryant… Again

Remember earlier I said Kobe had a hall of fame career in two different jerseys, well welcome to 24 Kobe.

Bryant switched from No. 8 to No. 24 after the 2005-06 season. He played in 733 games wearing No. 24, tallying 19,528 points, making 10 All-Star Games. Bryant went to three straight NBA Finals, capturing his fourth and fifth NBA championships in 2009 and 2010.

Honorable Mentions:

Mark Aguirre, Rick Barry, Dennis Johnson

25: Gail Goodrich

This is a name that todays generation only knows form using the old Lakers teams in NBA 2k, but Gail Goodrich could ball. He and Jerry West combined for one of the best backcourts in NBA history, and is a hall of Famer. He is a 5x All star and played a huge role in the Lakers 1972 Championship win. He 25.6 points per game in a five-game series while West averaged 19.8 and Chamberlain 19.4.

Honorable Mentions:

Steve Kerr, Mark Price, Doc Rivers,

26: Kyle Korver

No disrespect to Kyle Korver but he doesn’t fit in with the big name hall of famers who have come in earlier in the list. But that is the beauty in this challenge, it gives grace to those of lesser stature. Korver is one of the best long-range shooters in NBA history. He ranks fourth in career 3-pointers, with 2,437, trailing only Ray Allen, Reggie Miller and Stephen Curry.

Honorable Mentions:

Spencer Dinwiddie, Buddy Jeannette

27: Jack Twyman

This is likely the first name on the list that you are like “Who?” Twyman averaged 31.2 points and 8.9 rebounds in the 1959-60 season, but his most memorable work came off the court. He spent decades assisting his former teammate Maurice Stokes after his life-changing injury. Stokes was paralyzed due to a head injury he suffered after a fall during a game. Twyman’s selfless ability later inspired the NBA’s Twyman-Stokes award that goes to the league’s best teammate.

Honorable Mentions:

Rudy Gobert

28: Wayne Embry

The list of NBA players is very limited. So limited that Andre Iguodala who has only worn the number for 14 games is an honorable mention. Wayne Embry wore No. 28 only during the 1966-67 and 1967-68 seasons with the Boston Celtics. But in that time he won an NBA championship.

Honorable Mentions:

Andre Iguodala, Quinn Buckner

29: Paul Silas

The pickings were once again slim as not many people have worn 29. However Paul Silas, a two-time All-Star, gets the honor. He won two titles with Boston (1974, 1976) and a third with Seattle (1979).

Honorable Mentions:

Pervis Ellison, Mike Wilks

30: Stephen Curry

Back to a name everyone knows, Steph Curry takes the honor of best player to ever wear 30. A two-time league MVP, Curry won the 2015-16 league scoring title, averaging 30.1 points per game. He is the face if the Warriors dynasty and 3 point revolution.

Honorable Mentions:

Dell Curry, Bernard King, Rasheed Wallace.

31: Reggie Miller

Before Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Ray Allen came on the scene, there was Reggie Miller the league best shooter. When he retired in 2005, Miller was 21st on the all time scoring list and first in made 3 pointers.

Honorable Mentions:

Shane Battier, Shawn Marion

32: Magic Johnson

Some of the games biggest names of all time have worn number 32, but one of them is just a little but different.

The creator of the 1980s Showtime Lakers, Magic Johnson won three league MVPs and three Finals MVPs, as well as five NBA titles. He redefined what a point guard should look like as he stood 6’9″ and is the best to ever lay the position. He and Larry Bird save the league and then took it to heights never before seen.

Honorable Mentions:

Shaquille O’Neal, Karl Malone, Kevin McHale, Jason Kidd.

33: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul Jabbar, my second best player of all time, comes in as the best to ever wear number 33, sorry Larry Bird. Jabbar is the league’s all-time leading scorer, a 6x NBA champion and the only player to win 6 MVPs. He is also third all-time in blocks and rebounding.

Honorable Mentions:

Larry Bird, Scottie Pippen, Patrick Ewing, Marc Gasol, Grant Hill, Alonzo Mourning.

34: Hakeem Olajuwon

This is a tough decision to pick Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon over Shaq, but its for a few reasons. For one, Olajuwon wore 34 for his entire 18-year career. Shaq on the other hand bounced between 32, 33 and 34 jersey numbers.

“The Dream” won two NBA titles and was selected to the NBA All-Defensive first or second team nine times. Shaq has even praised Hakeem, saying he is the only player to give him fits for a full series.

Honorable Mentions:

Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Ray Allen, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Paul Pierce.

35: Kevin Durant

Remember the on going joke about Durant not being able to bench press 185? Well how did his career turn out? The 1x league MVP, 2x NBA champion, 2x Finals MVP and 10x All-Star could retire now and be remembered as one of the best players of all time. Assuming he fully recovers from his torn Achilles, Durant has a few more years of potential dominance.

Honorable Mentions:

Reggie Lewis, Paul Silas

36: Rasheed Wallace

Wallace primarily wore No. 36 with the Detroit Pistons. Wallace made two All-Star teams during that stretch and helped the Pistons win the 2004-05 Eastern Conference title.

Honorable Mentions:

Marcus Smart, Dave Cowens

37: Metta World Peace

Only six players ever wore this number, but World Peace certainly earned the honors of best to wear it. Metta wore 37 on his back when hitting the dagger against the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals. He stepped up and scored 20 points, saving the Lakers form one of Kobe Bryant’s worst games ever played.

Honorable Mention:

Derek Fisher

38: Kwame Brown

Once again the pickings were slim. Kwame Brown, the No. 1 overall pick in 2001, is best known for being the focal point of one of Stephen A. Smith’s epic rants. He somehow carved out a 12 year NBA career despite being an absolute bust. He wore 38 during his tenure with the Pistons, and it was underwhelming. He only gets this recognition by default.

Honorable Mentions:

Viktor Khryapa, Ron Knight

39: Dwight Howard

Current day, Dwight Howard is wearing 39 for the Los Angeles Lakers. While it hasn’t even been for a full season yet, Howard’s rejuvenation while wearing 39 is enough to earn the honor. He has been selfless coming off the bench and contributing at a high level.

Honorable Mentions:

Greg Ostertag, Jerami Grant

40: Shawn Kemp

Before Blake Griffin and Zion Williamson were soaring through the air with power and strength, there was Shawn Kemp. Kemp is a 6x All Star and was one half of the Supersonics dynamic duo of the 1990’s. His highlight plays live on through YouTube.

Honorable Mentions:

Bill Lambeer, Udonis Haslem

41: Dirk Nowitzki

When Nowitzki came to the league from Germany in 1998, 7-footers still belonged in the paint. Nowitzki quickly changed the way bigmen played, extending his range to the three point line and one legged fadeaway shots. Dirk is a 1x League MVP, Finals MVP, and a 14x All Star. He is one of the best PF of all time.

Honorable Mentions:

Glen Rice, Wes Unseld, Jamaal Wilkes

42: James Worthy

James Worthy, the third most important piece of the Showtime Lakers, gets the honor. Worthy was named the 1988 Finals MVP and made 7 all star teams.

Honorable Mentions:

Nate Thurmond, Al Horford, Kevin Love, Jerry Stackhouse

43: Jack Sikma

Sikma, who averaged 15.6 points and 9.8 rebounds in his 14-year career and was an All-Star seven times, is often forgotten when discussion elite big men of the past. He won a NBA championship, averaging 16.2 points, 14.8 rebounds and 3.2 blocks in the series.

Honorable Mentions:

Pascal Siakam, Brad Daugherty

44: Jerry West

For the younger generation, West’s success as an executive over shadows his remarkable playing career. But West is the NBA logo for a reason. West finished his 14-year career averaging 27.0 points on 47 percent shooting. He was a first-team All-NBA selection 10 times. He would excel in a league where the 3 point line existed, as he was consistently draining shots just inside half court.

Honorable Mentions:

George Gervin,Pete Maravich, Paul Westphal

45: Adrian Dantley

Adrian Dantley played 15 seasons, averaging 24.3 points per game. He made the All Star Team 6x and was ultimately named a NBA Hall of Famer.

Honorable Mentions:

Michael Jordan, A.C. Green, Rik Smits

46: Aaron Baynes

Yeah a big yikes here, but only 6 players have ever worn the number. Baynes is a rotational player with a nose for defense and an improving 3 point shot. Far from special but someone had to take the honors.

Honorable Mentions:

Dennis Bell, Bo Outlaw

47: Andrei Kirilenko

“AK-47” was as imposing a two-way threat for the Utah Jazz in the 2000’s. He was a key component to the Jazz teams who made the playoffs in 6 of his 10 years with the team. Kirilenko even made one all star team.

Honorable Mentions:

Scott Willliams

48: Nazr Mohammed

We are at the point where the names of players who gets the honor are unknown, and not very productive. Nazr Mohammed was a 6’10” Center for the Chicago Bulls from 2012-15 when he wore number 48.

Honorable Mentions:

Walt Gilmore

49: Shandon Anderson

Shandon Anderson, a name I had never heard of, earns the honor. He is one of just two players to ever wear 49, and he was the better one. Anderson was on the 2006 Miami Heat championship team and played 3 minutes in the Game 6 close out game.

Honorable mention:

Mel McCants

50: David Robinson

David Robinson is one of the best NBA players of all time. He won the league MVP in 1994-95, 2 NBA Championships, one scoring title, one rebounding title and one blocked-shot title. He was a member of the original Dream Team, and returned to win another gold medal in 1996.

Honorable Mentions:

Zach Randolph, Ralph Sampson

51: Reggie King

King played just six seasons after being taken 18th overall by the Kansas City Kings in 1979. In his best season, King averaged 14.9 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals.

Honorable Mentions:

Michael Ruffin, Michael Doleac

52: Jamaal Wilkes

Jamaal Wilkes, the owner of one of the most unorthodox jump shots, was an impressive player. He won an NBA title as a rookie, averaging 15.0 points per game in the postseason for the 1974-75 Golden State Warriors, and then won titles with the 1979-80 and 1981-82 Lakers.

Honorable Mentions:

George Johnson, Buck Williams

53: Artis Gilmore

Aside from Julius Erving, Gilmore was arguably the greatest player in ABA history. Then Gilmore made the transition to the NBA joining the Chicago Bulls. He was an 6x All-Star, four which came during his Bulls tenure.

Honorable Mentions:

Darryl Dawkins, Mark Eaton

54: Horace Grant

For NBA Fans, Horace Grant was instantly recognizable for one reason, those goggles. Grant was the starting power forward on the Chicago Bulls’ first three championship teams and on the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2000-01 championship team.

Honorable Mentions:

Kent Benson, Howard Porter

55: Dikembe Mutombo

If only there was a finger wagging emoji that could save me time. But Dikembe Mutombo was a fierce defender and shot blocker. He was an 8x All-Star, and 4x Defensive Player of the year.

He was also apart of the huge upset where his 8th seeded Nuggets beat the 1st seed Seattle SuperSonics in the first round in 1994. In the 5 game series, Mutombo had 31 blocks.

Honorable Mentions:

Roy Hibbert, Kiki VanDeWeghe, Jason Williams

56: Francisco Elson

A center born in the Netherlands, Elson wore No. 56. He won a NBA championship as a bench player for the 2007 San Antonio Spurs.

Honorable Mention:

Sean Williams

57: Hilton Armstrong

Well Hilton Armstrong wins this honor by default as he is the only player to ever wear 57. He played 15 games for the Warriors in 2013-14, averaging 6.5 minutes. Thats all I got for this one.

58-59: Vacant

Nobody has ever worn 58 or 58

60: Jonathan Gibson

Gibson, a 6-foot-2 point guard, is the only player to wear No. 60 in a regular-season NBA game. He wore the number in four games with the 2017-18 Celtics.

61:Dave Piontek

Piontek, who played for seven seasons and had a career-high season with 10.6 points and 5.3 rebounds, edges out the only other player to wear the number.

Honorable Mention:

Beno Nordmann

62: Scot Pollard

Pollard a 6’11” Center played for five teams during his 11 NBA seasons. He wore No. 62 in his tenure with the Indiana Pacers from 2003-06. He remains the only NBA player to don No. 62.

63: Coty Clarke

Clarke went undrafted out of Arkansas in 2014, played three games with Boston in the 2015-16 season. He is the only player to wear the number.

64: Vacant

65: George Ratkovicz

He averaged 9.2 and 6.9 rebounds during six NBA seasons. He remains the only player to wear 65.

66: Andrew Bogut

Bogut, a defensive-minded center drafted first overall in 2005, wore No. 6 and No. 12 with four of his five teams. But with the Lakers, Bogut elected to wear 66 as both 6 and 12 were taken.

Honorable Mention
Scot Pollard

67: Taj Gibson

The 11-year veteran has been a true professional in every sense of the word. In his 11 seasons, Gibson is averaging 9.5 rebounds and 6.3 rebounds.

Honorable mention
Moe Becker

68-69: Vacant

70: Dennis Rodman

Leave it to Rodman to pick such a random number to wear. Rodman wore it during his final season, with the 1990-00 Dallas Mavericks. Signed on Feb. 3, 2000, he was waived on March 8, 2000, having appeared in just 12 games.

Honorable Mention
Frank Selvy

71: Willie Naulls

Nauls was a 4x all star with the New York Knicks in the late 50’s and early 60’s. But he joined the rival Boston Celtics, winning 3 titles.

Honorable Mentions
McCoy McLemore, Bob Wiesenhahn

72: Jason Kapono

Jason Kapono was a great 3 point shooter for a short stretch, making 43.4 percent of his long-range attempts throughout his career. No one else has worn No. 72.

73: Dennis Rodman 

“The Worm” wins this one-man competition for his 23 games with the Lakers in the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season. His tenure is rarely remembered as he was released prior to the playoffs.

74-75: Vacant

76: Shawn Bradley

The No. 2 overall pick in 1993, the 7-foot-6 Bradley chose a jersey number that matched his height.

77: Luka Doncic

Luka Doncic, just a NBA sophomore, has already earned his place on the list. He is an elite player and the future is extremely bight. It also helps that not many have worn 77.

Honorable Mention:
Vladimir Radmanovic

78-80: Vacant

81: Jose Calderon

Jose Calderon was a good point guard with great shooting ability during the mid 2000’s. But he did wear number 81 later in his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons. Nothing stands out about Calderon in a 81 Cavs jersey, but the options were limited.

82: Vacant

83: Craig Smith 

The forward out of Boston College wore 83 during the 2011-12 season in which he played 47 games for Portland. Nobody else has worn the number.

84: Chris Webber

Yes the once dominant Kings and Warriors PF Chris Webber did wear number 84 for a season with the Pistons. Webber averaged 11.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game during the regular season, and played an important role in the playoffs.

While we don’t remember Webber in a 84 Pistons jersey, he takes home the honors.

Honorable Mention
Ron Baker

85: Baron Davis

The two-time All-Star wore this number during the final two stops of his NBA career, with the 2010-11 Cavaliers and the 2011-12 Knicks. There was nothing special about Davis wearing the number as he was past his prime, but no one else has worn 85 so he gets it.

86: Semih Erden

A 7-foot center who was born in 1986 in Turkey, Erden wore No. 86 with the Celtics during the 2010-11 season. He appeared in 37 games, including 7 starts.

87: Vacant

88: Nicolas Batum

While today we view Nicholas Batum as an overpaid NBA player in Charlotte, he was once a very good player in Portland. For his first 7 seasons, Batum stuffed the stat sheet averaging 11.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.

Honorable Mentions
Nemanja Bjelica, Markieff Morris, Antoine Walker

89: Clyde Lovelette

The 11-year veteran wore this number during his rookie season with the George Mikan-led Minneapolis Lakers (1953-54). The Lakers won it all that season, with Lovelette averaging 8.2 points and 5.8 rebounds.

Honorable Mention
Lou Amundson

90: Drew Gooden

A 6-foot-10 Center, Gooden wore either 0, 9 or 90 during his 14-year career. He opted for 90 during his stints with the Cavaliers, Bulls, Kings, Spurs, Mavericks and Wizards. Despite being a journeyman, Gooden had a solid career, averaging 11.0 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.

Honorable Mention
Amir Johnson

91: Dennis Rodman

For the third time being featured on the list, Dennis Rodman earns the honors for king of number 91.

This is the Rodman most remember. In his three seasons wearing No. 91 for the Bulls, Rodman averaged 14.9, 16.1 and 15.0 rebounds per game as Chicago pulled off its second three-peat.

Honorable mention
Metta World Peace

92: DeShawn Stevenson

Stevenson wore either No. 2 or No. 9 before being traded to the Mavericks. With No. 2 taken by Jason Kidd, Stevenson chose No. 92.

Stevenson won the 2011 NBA title with the Dallas Mavericks and filled a defensive role on the team.

Honorable Mention
Lucas Nogueira

93: Ron Artest

For the second time on the list, Artest earns the honor. Following the “Malice at the Palace” brawl in 2004, Artest needed to rehabilitate his reputation. Once in Sacramento, Artest turned in his number 91 for 93. Artest played some of the best basketball of his career before he was traded to Houston in the summer of 2008, where he would make yet another number change.

94: Evan Fournier

A first-round draft pick by the Nuggets in 2012, Fournier chose No. 94 because 94 is the numerical designation of his home district in Paris. While he wears number 10 for the Magic these days, he remains the only to wear 94.

95: DeAndre’ Bembry 

The 25-year-old Hawks wing is only four seasons in and averaging 6.2 points and 3.4 rebounds, but he is already the best to wear the number.

96: Metta World Peace

No need to reintroduce a guy who has been on here 3x. Metta, or Artest, which ever you prefer, wore seven jersey numbers during his lengthy NBA career. He chose No. 96 during his 2008-09 stint with the Houston Rockets. He played in 69 games that season and averaged 17.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.

98: Jason Collins

The 7-foot center wore No. 98 during the final three stops of his pro career, with the Celtics, Wizards and Nets. While his playing career was nothing spectacular, you probably know the name. Collins is the first openly gay player in North America’s four major team sports.

99: George Mikan

George Mikan, “Mr. Basketball”, was professional basketball’s first true star and its first great big man.

It’s because of Mikan that goaltending is illegal and the lane is as wide as it is. The NBA had to come up with a way to mitigate the impact Mikan. He would block shots away at the rim and was unguardable down low under the rim.

Mikan was named by the Associated Press as the greatest basketball player of the first half of the 20th century. His Lakers teams won four NBA titles.

Honorable Mention
Jae Crowder