Jersey numbers aren’t important to the actual game of basketball, but they are important to players and fans all the same. We all remember playing rec league as a kid and waiting for the coach to hand out jerseys. Everyone had a number that meant the world to them in the realm of the NBA.
Darren Rovell of ESPN tweeted out the most popular jersey numbers for NBA players and No. 3 tops the list with 20 players in the league donning the number. Stars like Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, C.J. McCollum, and Bradley Beal have helped popularize the number.
Incredible to see the rise of “0” as an NBA jersey number. Tied for third most common jersey number in the NBA this year. Years ago, you’d be challenged to find 5 players with that number. pic.twitter.com/JkezuTAFtX
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) October 23, 2018
Rovell also points out the prevalence of No. 0 as a popular choice among players. Donning No. 0 used to be a bold, yet quirky choice, but it’s now one of the most popular jersey numbers in the league. Russell Westbrook is one of the most famous stars to don the unique number. Damian Lillard also wears No. 0, but he is said to wear it as a reference to his hometown of Oakland, California.
Three is an iconic number, but I always felt it was cooler to make a more unique choice.
I always wanted to wear No. 8 for Kobe Bryant when I was growing up, but most youth basketball leagues don’t use any digits over five. This is because it’s easier for referees to relay foul calls to the scorer’s table when every digit is between one and five. There’s less confusion.
That’s why I always thought different numbers were cool. Kids rarely have the opportunity to wear certain numbers, but it looks like some NBA players don’t think the same way I do.
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