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Do NBA players pick their numbers?

Author

Emily Sparks

Published Jan 15, 2026

The NBA does a good job of allowing players to choose almost any number they want, barring certain exemptions—a player already wearing it, a team's retired numbers, the number 69. So, next time you are watching the game, take a look at a player's jersey number and wonder why the heck it is they chose it.

Is 7 an illegal number in basketball?

Because of the N.C.A.A.'s longstanding Rule 1, Section 22, Article 7, Clause b. 2 — the little-known statute that prohibits college basketball players from wearing any of the numerals 6, 7, 8 or 9. Those are the numbers you will not see on a college basketball court.

Do you get to choose your number in basketball?

Coaches often choose the numbers for the players and you may have little to no say in the matter. There will be times when the number you are assigned isn't up to you and you just have to take it like a champ. Displaying proper sportsmanship when faced with a number you didn't want is a great attribute for any athlete.

How are numbers assigned in the NBA?

Player jerseys must be numbered on the front and back, and the color of the number must contrast with the color of the shirt. Numbers may not be smaller than 3/4 inches wide, and 6 inches high on both front and back. Player's name must be on the back of the jersey, and letters must not be higher than 2 inches.

Can you wear #1 in the NBA?

It has also produced some dominating playmakers in Tracy McGrady, Penny Hardaway and the current incumbent of No. 1, the NBA MVP Derrick Rose. The only All-Star big man to wear No. 1 has been Amare, who switched over to No.

22 related questions found

Is 69 banned in NBA?

No NBA player has ever worn the number 69, which is believed to be implicitly banned due to its sexual connotations; the NBA has never confirmed this. Rodman had allegedly requested the number 69 when he joined the Dallas Mavericks but was refused and instead wore 70.

Who wears #12 in the NBA?

12 Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic. Everyone knows that Superman wears No. 12.

Can you wear 00 in NBA?

The league's rules behind jersey number selection are pretty straightforward: players can wear any number combination between 00 and 99—almost. The one number not allowed is 69 for . . . obvious reasons. The NBA can thank rebounding great and Hall-of-Famer Dennis Rodman for this little wrinkle.

Why is number 32 retired in the NBA?

The Miami Heat announced the organization will retire Shaquille O'Neal's jersey -- No. 32 -- during the 2016-17 season, making it the second NBA franchise after the Los Angeles Lakers to raise The Big Aristotle's jersey to the rafters. Shaq's number has also been retired by the LSU Tigers and Robert G.

Can you wear 0 in the NFL?

players, including Carmelo Anthony (0) and Damian Lillard (00). Those numbers have been banned from the N.F.L. since the 1973 reforms, although the Hall of Fame center Jim Otto wore 00 in the '60s and '70s. Also missing from the league are fractions, like the ⅛ worn by the 3-foot-7 Eddie Gaedel of the St.

Is 0 a legal basketball number?

Legal numbers are: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 00, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22,23, 24, 25, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 50, 51, 52, 53,54, 55.

Who Wore #0 in NBA?

Kyle Kuzma, Damian Lillard and Jayson Tatum have all worn 0 number jersey since they have played in the NBA.

What does 00 mean on a jersey?

0 isn't wearing a number at all. (And “00” would be doubly controversial.) In sports, players wearing “0” or “00” are uncommon. Most teams won't assign those numbers. Players usually have to request them, perhaps thinking that “0” or “00” will distinguish them and make them stand out.

Is 23 retired for Bulls?

The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat retired the number 23 in honor of Michael Jordan. Jordan never played for the Miami Heat. Jordan is one of the 14 people to have a number retired by two different teams.

Is Shaq in the NBA 75?

As part of a celebration commemorating the league's 75th anniversary, the NBA will honor the 75 greatest players in its history during halftime of Sunday night's game. One of the 75 players is Shaquille O'Neal.

Is 42 retired in all sports?

On that day the number that Robinson wore for the Brooklyn Dodgers, 42—retired from Major League Baseball in 1997—is “unretired” and worn by all players, coaches, and umpires in the games played that day.

What is LeBron James number?

LeBron James' sporting career has always seen him wear two numbers: No. 23 and No. 6, and with the Los Angeles Lakers star having switched jerseys to No. 6 for the 2021 season, many are wondering why.

Who wears 69 in the NFL?

Many football stars have had success with the number as well with Jared Allen and Keith Sims thriving with the number 69 in the NFL.

Why did LeBron James change his number?

6 for the first time in games as a Laker, James explained why he made the switch. “It's always been a part of me, to be honest,” James said. “Six has a lot of meaning to me, from my family and numbers and things of that nature to what I believe in and things of that sort, but my mentality doesn't change.”

What number has never been worn in the NBA?

In fact, the following numbers have never been worn: 58, 59, 64, 69, 74, 75, 78, 79, 80, 82, 87 and 97. This is the biggest reason we decided to implement a "minimum five years" requirement. No sense in writing about Ron Artest/Metta World Peace for Nos.

Can you wear a retired number in the NBA?

Once a number is retired, no future player from the team may wear that number on their uniform, unless the player so-honored permits it; however, in many cases the number cannot be used at all.

Why did Rodman wear number 70?

According to a Twitter thread by Marc Stein of the New York Times, Rodman planned to wear number 69 in Dallas; the Mavs even had a few of the jerseys made in preparation for his arrival. David Stern and the NBA, however, didn't approve Rodman's choice, so the forward simply added one to turn 69 into 70.