Brooklyn Nets combo guard Spencer Dinwiddie has officially changed his number from No. 8 to No. 26 to honor the late Kobe Bryant.
Dinwiddie is a native of Los Angeles and has been public in expressing how much Bryant meant to him. The NBA typically forces players to wait until the offseason to change numbers, but they granted Dinwiddie's request in this instance.
The Nets guard spoke to Anthony Puccio of NetsDaily about why he's choosing 26 as his new jersey number:
(1/3): I spoke with @SDinwiddie_25 and he explained why he chose the number 26.
“It’s an obvious choice, I kept coming to that number, but here’s why… They passed on the 26th. 24 and 2 are their numbers; 2+ 6 is 8. I’m 26 currently.”
— Anthony Puccio (@APOOCH) January 28, 2020
(2/3): Me and my son were both born in April. He’s the 20th, I’m the 6th. And that’s what was on my mind when I decided the jersey change. Incorporating my son. Because last time it revolved around family as well.”
— Anthony Puccio (@APOOCH) January 28, 2020
“When I decided on 8, [I was] the 8th pick in the second round; It’s my grandma and little brothers birthday; I signed with Brooklyn on December 8th…And finally, because of Kobe.” pic.twitter.com/V5UAMEu3fp
— Anthony Puccio (@APOOCH) January 28, 2020
Nets superstar point guard Kyrie Irving has yet to comment on the passing of Kobe Bryant, which is understandable given how close Irving was to Bryant. When Kyrie won the 2016 championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he FaceTimed Bryant from his locker. That's just one anecdote detailing how much Bryant meant to Irving.
The Nets are 19-26 on the season. They are in eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings and currently have a two-game lead over the Chicago Bulls. Brooklyn is back in action on Wednesday when it hosts the Detroit Pistons.
Spencer Dinwiddie is averaging 21.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 6.5 assists on the season for the Nets. He's shooting 41.7 percent from the field, 29.9 percent from beyond the arc and 77.7 percent from the free-throw line.
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