Helena Frye
Basketball players are often strongly associated with their jersey numbers, and the process of how those numbers are assigned to players has evolved over the years. In the NBA, players have the freedom to choose their jersey numbers and can change them, although they must apply for approval from the league office and their team before doing so. There are a few restrictions on the numbers players can choose, such as numbers above 69, which are prohibited due to potential associations with inappropriate or offensive slang. Numbers with a zero followed by another digit, such as 04 or 09, are also not allowed to avoid confusion. Additionally, the number 6 has been retired throughout the NBA in honour of Russell's impact on and off the court. In college basketball, single-digit players' numbers are officially recorded with a leading zero, and players cannot wear the numbers 6, 7, 8, or 9.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players in a basketball team | 5 |
| Number of guards in a basketball team | 2 |
| Number of forwards in a basketball team | 2 |
| Number of centers in a basketball team | 1 |
| Number assigned to a point guard | 1 |
| Number assigned to a shooting guard | 2 |
| Number assigned to a small forward | 3 |
| Number assigned to a power forward | 4 |
| Number assigned to a center | 5 |
| Numbers worn by NBA players | 0-99 |
| Numbers worn by FIBA players (until 2014) | 4-15 |
| Numbers worn by college basketball players | Not 6, 7, 8, or 9 |
| Numbers worn by baseball players | Any number |
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What You'll Learn
Player choice and meaning
The choice of jersey number by basketball players is influenced by various factors, including personal significance, team traditions, and the player's position. Some players opt for numbers that hold familial or cultural importance, while others adhere to team or league guidelines. For instance, in the Spanish ACB League, certain numbers are reserved for iconic players or specific positions. In Italy's Serie A, guards typically wear lower numbers like #1 or #5, while forwards and centers often don #7 or #15.
Jersey numbers can also be influenced by superstitions or beliefs, allowing players to choose a specific number that brings them luck or holds a special meaning. For example, Kevin Durant wears #35 in honor of his youth basketball coach, Charles Craig, who passed away at 35. Metta World Peace, formerly known as Ron Artest, chose #37 because Michael Jackson's "Thriller" topped the Billboard charts for 37 weeks.
In addition, jersey numbers can be determined through negotiation and seniority within a team. Established players often retain their preferred numbers, especially if they have built a brand around them. New players may negotiate with existing team members to acquire a specific number, sometimes involving compensation or agreements.
The significance of jersey numbers extends beyond the court and can impact fan engagement and merchandising. Popular player numbers often drive jersey sales, influencing the allocation of jersey numbers for marketable players. Teams may also retire jersey numbers as a tribute to exceptional players or following tragic events, honoring their contributions and legacy.
While players have some freedom in choosing their jersey numbers, certain restrictions apply. FIBA-organized competitions, including the Olympic Games and World Cup, previously required players to wear numbers from 4 to 15 due to the limitations of the digits in the human hand for referee signals. Starting in 2014, this restriction was lifted, and national federations could allow any number up to two digits. In the NBA, players are prohibited from wearing numbers 69 and above to avoid inappropriate or offensive associations, and the combination of 0 with any other digit, like 04 or 09, is also not allowed to prevent confusion.
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Retired numbers
Retiring jersey numbers is a way for National Basketball Association (NBA) teams to honour key contributors, including players, coaches, fans, broadcasters, and announcers. Once a number is retired, it is usually no longer available for future players to wear, though they can ask for permission from the player whose jersey is retired. Teams usually display these numbers by hanging banners on the rafters inside their home arena.
As of April 2025, only the Los Angeles Clippers do not have any retired numbers. Two players have had their numbers retired by teams they did not play for, and only one player, Bill Russell, has had his number retired league-wide. Russell, who passed away at the age of 88, played for and coached the Boston Celtics and wore the number 6. Over 250 players have worn the number 6 shirt in NBA history, but the number has effectively been withdrawn as a sign of respect.
Some other notable retired numbers include:
- Kobe Bryant: numbers 8 and 24
- Jerry Sloan: number 4 retired by the Bulls, and number 1,223 by the Jazz
- Nate Thurmond: number 42 retired by the Warriors and Cavaliers
- Lenny Wilkens: number 19 retired by the Sonics, and also honoured in the Cavaliers' Wall of Honor
- Michael Jordan: number 23
- Shaquille O'Neal: number 34
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Number ranges
In the NBA, players can wear any number between 0 and 99. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Players are not allowed to wear numbers 69 and above due to potential associations with offensive slang. Additionally, numbers that combine 0 with another digit, such as 04 or 09, are prohibited to avoid confusion. The number 6 is also no longer allowed in the NBA, and three-digit numbers are not permitted to maintain clarity on the court.
In college basketball, the rules are different. Single-digit players' numbers are officially recorded as having a leading zero. For example, a player with the number 4 would be recorded as having the number 04. Previously, only specific numbers were allowed in college basketball, such as 0, 00, 1–5, 10–15, 20–25, 30–35, 40–45, and 50–55. However, starting in the 2023–24 season, the NCAA has returned to allowing all numbers from 0 to 99 in both men's and women's basketball.
In FIBA-organized competitions for national teams, including the Olympic Games, World Cup, and Women's World Cup, players had to wear numbers from 4 to 15 until 2014 due to the limitations of the digits in the human hand. Referees signal numbers 1 to 3 using their fingers to indicate the number of points scored, while numbers 4 to 15 are shown sequentially with both hands after a personal foul. The restriction was lifted in 2014 with the implementation of video replay systems, allowing officials to quickly identify players independently from the referees.
In the early decades of basketball, when numbering rules were relatively unrestricted, it was common for players to wear single-digit numbers or numbers in the teens. Over time, as the sport evolved and more specialized roles developed, certain positions became associated with specific number ranges. For example, the point guard (PG) or 1, the shooting guard (SG) or 2, the small forward (SF) or 3, the power forward (PF) or 4, and the center (C) or 5.
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Position and number
The position and number of a basketball player are closely related. The three main position categories in basketball are guard, forward, and center. The standard team features two guards, two forwards, and a center.
The guards are typically called the “back court” and the forwards and centers the "front court". The five positions are known by a unique name and number: point guard (PG) or 1, the shooting guard (SG) or 2, the small forward (SF) or 3, the power forward (PF) or 4, and the center (C) or 5. The guards were originally tasked with guarding the team's forwards, hence the name.
The small forward (SF), also known as the three, is considered the most versatile of the main five basketball positions. This position is like a "Swiss army knife", able to score, rebound, handle the ball, pass, and defend.
In the early history of the sport, there was a "running guard" or floor guard who brought the ball up the court and passed or attacked the basket. Over time, as more specialized roles developed, each of the guards and forwards became more differentiated.
Today, the shooting guard (SG), also known as the two or the off guard, is often referred to as a wing because of its use in common positioning tactics. Most shooting guards are prolific from three-point range and long mid-range.
Throughout the evolution of the game, there have been different types of shooting guards, mainly categorized as offensive threats and defensive guards. Shooting guards usually know their play style and get better at the qualities they are good at, and then teams determine their role on the court.
Jersey numbers in basketball can be chosen based on personal significance, team traditions, or the player's position. Some players opt for numbers that have familial or cultural importance, while others adhere to team or league guidelines. For example, in Spain's ACB League, it is customary for centers to wear single-digit numbers.
In FIBA-organized competitions, including the Olympic Games and the World Cup, players traditionally wore numbers from 4 to 15 due to the limitations of the digits in the human hand. Referees signal numbers 1 to 3 using their fingers to indicate points scored, and numbers 4 to 15 after a personal foul to indicate the offending player. In 2014, FIBA lifted this restriction, allowing national federations to use any number with a maximum of two digits.
In the NBA, there are no league-wide retired numbers. Numbers 0 and 00 are valid jersey numbers, made iconic in recent years by players like Damian Lillard (#0) and Russell Westbrook (#00). Numbers 1 to 5 are traditionally reserved for guards or players who primarily handle the ball, and numbers 6 to 10 are typically worn by small forwards or swingmen who can play multiple positions.
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History of numbering
The use of jersey numbers in sports was first seen in 1903 in an Australian rules football match between Fitzroy and Collingwood. However, the first consistent use of jersey numbers is credited to the Nelson Football Club, a New Zealand football team, in 1911. The numbers were used to help spectators identify players and to help the referee keep track of fouls and infractions.
In basketball, the first major league team to introduce numbers on uniforms was the Cleveland Indians in 1916, with numerals on the left sleeves. However, these only lasted a few weeks due to complaints. The St. Louis Cardinals tried a similar approach in 1923 but were ridiculed, and the numbers were removed. In 1929, the Cleveland Indians reintroduced uniform numbers, and within less than a decade, every major league team included numbers on their uniforms.
Over time, the numbering system in basketball evolved, with certain numbers being associated with specific positions. In the early days, the guards were typically referred to as the "back court" and were assigned the numbers 1 and 2, while the forwards and centers, known as the "front court," had numbers 3, 4, and 5. Today, the five main positions in basketball are the point guard (PG) or 1, shooting guard (SG) or 2, small forward (SF) or 3, power forward (PF) or 4, and center (C) or 5.
In terms of number selection, players in the NBA and other basketball leagues have various factors to consider. Some players choose numbers based on personal significance, such as birthdates or cultural or familial importance. For example, LeBron James initially wore #23 as a tribute to his childhood idol, Michael Jordan. Additionally, certain numbers may be reserved for specific positions, and some organisations may have retired numbers or superstitions regarding "unlucky" numbers. For instance, the number 13 is considered unlucky in some cultures.
In FIBA-organized competitions before 2014, players had to wear numbers from 4 to 15 due to the limitations of the digits in the human hand, which helped referees signal the number of points scored or the offending player after a foul. After 2014, national federations were allowed to use any numbers with a maximum of two digits.
Jersey numbers in basketball have become iconic, with certain numbers synonymous with legendary players, such as Michael Jordan's #23 and Kobe Bryant's #8 and #24.
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Frequently asked questions
Basketball players can choose their own jersey numbers, often selecting numbers that represent their birth date, age, or a tribute to a family member or mentor. Teams will retire numbers of players who have made significant contributions, meaning that number can no longer be used.
The NBA prohibits players from wearing numbers 00, 04, 09, 69, and above. The number 6 has also been retired across the league.
Some of the most famous jersey numbers in the NBA include 23 (Michael Jordan), 24 (Kobe Bryant), 33 (Shaquille O'Neal), 32 (Magic Johnson), and 33 (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar).
Yes, players can change their jersey numbers but must apply for approval from the league office and their team. Typically, players wait until the offseason or an extended period without games to allow time for merchandise production and platform updates.
In college basketball, players cannot wear numbers 6, 7, 8, or 9. Single-digit players' numbers are officially recorded with a leading zero, but this rule no longer applies in the NBA.
