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Does it matter what number you are in basketball?

Author

Daniel Moore

Published Jan 20, 2026

The NBA does indicate the numbers of players who foul using fingers, but they don't have the same restrictions on jersey numbers. In the NBA, any number can be used from 0 and 00 to 99. The Los Angeles Times does point out that, even in the NBA, numbers six through nine are less common.

Do numbers matter in basketball?

NBA jersey numbers have nothing to do with the positional play. NBA teams usually have a set of players who play the same position, and they wear similar numbers because it's easier for referees to tell them apart on the court this way.

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.

Is 6 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.

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.

31 related questions found

Who wears 99 NBA?

Number 99: George Mikan.

Can you wear 69 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.

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.

Can you wear 17 in basketball?

In the NBA, any number can be used from 0 and 00 to 99. The Los Angeles Times does point out that, even in the NBA, numbers six through nine are less common. This makes sense since players want to keep their college numbers. Players on international FIBA teams can also use numbers 0, 00, and one through 99.

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.

What numbers are not allowed in NBA?

The NBA only allows two digit numbers on the back of their Jersey. The NBA only allows numbers which have two digits. For instance you can have 00 however, you cannot have 000. Therefore, the numbers which NBA players can choose from are 00-99 (with the exception of number 69).

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.

Why is number 23 so special in basketball?

Playing on the varsity basketball team, Larry Jordan wore number 45; when Michael made the team, he donned 23 because it was (roughly) half of his brother's number. He, of course, stuck with that number throughout his college and professional careers.

Is number 4 The captain in basketball?

In fact, every basketball captain in official matches has the number 4. This is because the rules written by the International Basketball Federation reserve numbers 1-3 for coaches and stuff.

Can you wear 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. Hockey isn't too far behind with quite a few top stars rocking the number in NHL history, but surprisingly, no basketball player in NBA history has ever worn the #69.

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.”

Who is the youngest NBA player now?

Joshua Primo was the youngest player in the NBA this season. Drafted by the San Antonio Spurs with the 12th overall pick in the 2021 draft, Primo made his NBA debut at 18 years, 300 days old on Oct. 20 against the Orlando Magic.

Why did the Heat retired number 23?

The Heat retired Jordan's number 23 jersey in April 2003 to honor Jordan's achievements and contributions in basketball. The Heat are the only NBA team other than the Chicago Bulls to have retired the number 23 jersey in honor of Jordan. Mourning had his number 33 jersey retired in March 2009, a year after he retired.

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.

Who was 00 in basketball?

Aaron Gordon was drafted to the Orlando Magic in the 2014 NBA draft. Gordon picked up the 00 jersey straight away and has worn it ever since. Gordon is wearing the Orlando Magic icon jersey with the 00.

Who wears #12 in the NBA?

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

Who wears 27 in the NBA?

#27 – Rudy Gobert, Jamal Murray, Jusuf Nurkic, Zaza Pachulia, Daniel Theis.

What number is Jordan?

There are few athletes more associated with a number than Michael Jordan and the No. 23. But for exactly 23 games of his NBA career, Jordan wore a number other than his trademark No.

What number is Kobe?

LA Lakers have retired both Kobe Bryant's jersey numbers after his retirement. Here is the reason why Kobe Bryant change his jersey number from no 8 to no 24. Kobe Bryant is a legend of the game. Right from his first game as a rookie to his retirement game (record 60 points, who would forget that), he gave his all.