JERSEY NUMBERS

I have been thinking about this for a while.

Jersey numbers.

I have thought about why certain numbers are picked by players. Sure, some belong to famous people, some are lucky according to different cultures, some get theirs through numerology (study of numbers), etc.

But there must be a certain reason or good 'point' about every number chosen by a player.

SO I want to, from everyone's responses, make a list of as many numbers and reasons they are chosen. We could make a list with a number, and add to famous players who have worn it, what positions usually pick it, why it could be lucky and possibly what kind of traits are needed to be had for picking that number.

I'm sure this might be interesting to many people in the forum. But it's only if people answer to it.

And to Andrew- hopefully you can contribute to this list with your wiseness! lol

I remember during the 1997 Finals they interviewed some of the Bulls and Jazz players, asking them why they picked their jersey numbers. (Link)

During a break in the 1997 NBA Finals, NBA.com caught up with members of the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz, asking the question, "How did you pick your particular uniform number?" Following are the responses.

Ron Harper, Chicago Bulls (9)
"I wear No. 9 because Jerry Sloan got No. 4 retired! It's something they had left, so I picked 9. If Jerry Sloan didn't play here, I would have my old jersey, No. 4."

Jeff Hornacek, Utah Jazz (14)
"It's pretty simple. It was the number I was assigned when I played ball in grammar school."

Shandon Anderson, Utah Jazz (40)
"Once my brother (Willie Anderson of the Heat) got the number it became the number in the family. If you played basketball, you had to wear No. 40. That's just something that went with the territory. I have cousins, all my friends, wearing No. 40 because of him. I guess he's the leader of the pack who really opened everybody's eyes, and it's just our way of paying our respects to him.

Luc Longley, Chicago Bulls (13)
"It's a lucky number for my family. My father wore it when he was a player and good things seem to happen around that number for my family."

Greg Foster, Utah Jazz (44)
"I wore it in high school, and when I got to the league I started wearing it. In Chicago I wore 35, and that's only because I couldn't get 44. It was already taken."

Jud Buechler, Chicago Bulls (35)
I always wore 35, in junior high, high school and college and my first years in the NBA. It's ironic that you should ask me that question. When I first got to the Bulls, in training camp, Greg Foster was wearing that number, and he had grabbed it first. I've always had my number in the 30s, so I stayed with that. It's kind of funny that now we are playing against Greg Foster, who had a great game in Game 1, because he stole my number from me!

Antoine Carr, Utah Jazz (55)
"When I came here, I wanted number 35, but it was taken. I said to myself that I had to get 45, but that was taken. At that point, I had to keep going up and 55 was the next one."

Greg Ostertag, Utah Jazz (00)
"When I was at Kansas, I wanted another number, but they gave it to a recruit that had signed before me, so I guess I was the second priority. That's how I came to pick 00."

Stephen Howard, Utah Jazz (43)
"There's a very important reason why I wear 43. When I first came in the league with the Jazz, I was so low on the totem poll they just gave me a number and that's what they gave me. I didn't have a choice. In San Antonio, I switched it around and wore 34, but when I came back here I got my old 43 back."

Toni Kukoc, Chicago Bulls (7)
"It's just the number I started with and I'll keep it for the rest of my career, hopefully."

Chris Morris, Utah Jazz (34)
"I've been wearing it all my life. Years ago, when I was a kid, I grew up watching George Gervin. But the team I played on didn't have 44, so I had to switch over to 34 and I've stayed with that number ever since -- except for last year, when I wore 43. But still, in reverse, that's 34. This year Bryon Russell gave it up to me and I was grateful for that."

Howard Eisley, Utah Jazz (10)
"I wore it all throughout college and I'll stick with it -- or try to, anyway."

Shandon Anderson used to wear #40, which was the same number that his older brother Willie wore when he was in the NBA.

I wore #8, by choice, in primary school. This was even before Kobe was around. Now i wear........42, hahah

during my bball career *cough* ive worn 6-7-9 and 13 but have always come back to 6. i wore 13 1st yr high school then wore 9 coz for some reason there wasnt a 6 till finally i was able to wear my number 6 jersey. during a club bball i was in jersey 7 coz 6 was taken but in my most recent team platinum playaz im 6 again

I wear 9, I've explained it in the official Jerseys thread, I'll look it up in awhile.

I wore 4 or 6... or 13... actually I just wore anything, never particularly bothered.

I wear number 8 since im a kid, no particular reason, i guess someone just gave it to me or something.

i have always worn #33

number 7 people

i bet that had to surprise all.
eheheh

I don't really care what my jersey number is. I don't have a favorite number either. Some of my favorite options are 42, 12, or 13.

42 = I just like it
12 = I've worn this for every team I've been on, but not by choice. Just by coincidence.
13 = My lucky number.

I have wore 42 for the past couple years. I can't remember what number I wore before...

12 - reminds me I am i fast person and my favourite number
34, 32 - make me confident cause they are shaqs numbers

I wear number 14. I used to wear 4, 12, 'cause we have jerseys between 4 and 15 ( ) and if I could choose any number, I would like to wear 23 or 3.

i've worn 33 once but most of the time i've worn the # 9

I have worn #1, #4, #8, #9, #20 (currently)

#1 is my favorite number, but I could never get it on some of my teams

I wear 8 cause for asians it's lucky and because i've lived with 4 for my whole life i wanted a change... 4 sounds like die in asian...

So I've played with 8 for my whole 'career'

I wear 29. If I were to chose again, it would be between 0, 9, 11, and 29. I chose 29 because it's different .

I wear 8 cause for asians it's lucky and because i've lived with 4 for my whole life i wanted a change... 4 sounds like die in asian...

I know what you mean...I remember when I was younger it was like stay away from the number.

I've always worn #11... The first time, it was assigned to me, but it stuck... once I wore 1 cuz 11 was available. I like 11 too because it's not as popular as 3 so it's there for me most of the time...
Oh and 2nd choice is #20... just look below for the reason.

I normally wear #32

i've worn #15 ever since i started playing basketball

Wore jersey number 8 and 16.
my reason in particular order
8 - my number coz wore by my 2nd favorite PBA player: Allan Caidic
- equal to August, my birth month, the 8th month in calendar.
- only make it more esp coz Kobe wear it in 1996

16- coz wore and still wear by my favorite PBA player:Alvin Patrimonio
- anniversary date. Nov. 16 ,1994

also wore no. 4 (no. of captainball) and 14 (wore by Hisashi "Micchy Boy" Mitsui of Anime' Slamdunk hehehe)

.......

Last edited by hmm on Thu Jun 04, 2009 4:00 am, edited 1 time in total.

I used to wear #6, but then that got too small with me and then someone else took that number so I got my brother's #22 jersey! I like both numbers, I don't know why.

I hate numbers over 50! I think they look weird!

I was born 2/28/82, so usually some combination of those numbers. Usually 22 just because it looks nice.