Nicknames
King James
Lebron James
The Cleveland Cavaliers selected this high school phenom with the #1 overall pick in the famous 2003 NBA Draft.
Lebron
This franchise is second behind the Boston Celtics for the most NBA championships in history with 17 titles.
Lakers
This point guard is the NBA's all-time leader in career triple-doubles.
Russ
Both Kobe Bryant (early career) and Lamar Jackson (NFL) are famous for wearing this single-digit number.
8
The Diesel
Shaq
In 1984, the Houston Rockets selected this legendary center #1 overall, just two spots ahead of Michael Jordan.
Hakeem
Led by the "Splash Brothers," this Bay Area team captured four NBA titles between 2015 and 2022.
Warriors
On March 2, 1962, this legendary big man set the sports world on fire by scoring exactly 100 points in a single game.
Wilt the Stilt
Both Michael Jordan and LeBron James spent the majority of their careers wearing this iconic number.
23
The Truth
Paul Pierce
Despite leading the Golden State Warriors to multiple championships, this sharpshooter was selected 7th overall in 2009.
Steph Curry
Michael Jordan famously led the Chicago Bulls to two separate "three-peats," giving him this final total of championship rings.
6
This Hall of Fame Utah Jazz point guard is the NBA's absolute, undisputed all-time leader in career assists.
John Stoctken
When the NBA universally retired this number league-wide in 2022 to honor Bill Russell, players already wearing it were grandfathered in.
6
Slim Reaper
KD
This French phenom went #1 overall to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Wemby
This legendary Boston Celtics center holds the ultimate record for the most NBA championships won by a single player, with 11.
Bill Russel
This defensive powerhouse and Rockets legend is the NBA's all-time leader in blocked shots.
Hakeem
After leaving Oklahoma City for Golden State, Kevin Durant switched his jersey from 35 to this single-digit number.
7
Human Height Film
Dominique Wilkins
He is famously remembered as the absolute lowest draft pick to ever win NBA MVP, being selected 41st overall by Denver in 2014.
Nikola Jokic
This Texas team won back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995 during Michael Jordan’s baseball hiatus.
Rockets
He is the only player in NBA history to finish a regular season averaging a triple-double across four different seasons.
Russ
This is the highest two-digit jersey number legally allowed on an NBA court, famously worn by George Mikan and Jae Crowder.
99