NBA & ABA Players Who Wore Uniform Number 77 | Basketball-Reference.com (2024)

FAQs

What number has no NBA player worn? ›

The following numbers, for one reason or another, have never graced an official NBA jersey by any player in any era: 58, 64, 74, 75, 78, 79, 80, 82, and 87.

The NBA has always allowed other numbers from 0 to 99, but use of digits 6 through 9 is less common than 0 through 5 since most players tend to keep the numbers that they had previously worn in college.

It has been a popular jersey number for decades with success of athletes across the board. Top NFL players with number 77 jerseys include Willie Roaf and Andrew Whitworth, all Hall of Fame-level players whose career highlights are among the greatest moments in football history.

1 ODI batsman Shubman Gill reveal the story behind his jersey number '77', his BFF in the Indian Team & more.

While the NBA has not formally banned the number 69, it operates under an unwritten rule that prohibits its use. This practice has been in place since the league's early days and is strictly enforced to maintain the NBA's decorum and professionalism.

The NBA prohibits players from wearing certain numbers for various reasons. For example: Numbers 69 and above: Players cannot wear numbers #69 and above due to potential concerns over inappropriate or offensive associations.

The ten numbers that have never been used in the NBA

These are 58, 64, 69, 74, 75, 78, 79, 80, 82, and 87. Former Jordan teammate Dennis Rodman once tried to use one of the ten unworn numbers when he played for the Dallas Mavericks during the 1999-2000 season. Unfortunately, Rodman's request to wear the No.

A deep dive into roster history revealed that No. 3 is the most popular number in the NBA since 2000, appearing in over 27,000 games – and on Hall of Famers Allen Iverson, Dwyane Wade, Ben Wallace and Tracy McGrady in that period.

There are only two players with three retired numbers in NBA history. The first was Wilt Chamberlain, whose 13 can no longer be used by the Warriors, 76ers or Lakers. The same goes for Pete Maravich's 44 and 7 retired with the Hawks (44), Jazz (7) and Pelicans (7).

Thus, the numbers 6, 7,8, 9 are not legal. Why? Well, for one reason, it is easier for the scorekeeper to see and understand numbers on a single hand and document the number correctly on the scoresheet. Accurate assignment of points and fouls is important to the players and coaches and serves everyone's interests.

Why did Jordan wear 9? ›

The reasoning for Jordan donning nine goes back to his teens. His first number was 45 at Laney High in Wilmington, North Carolina, before switching to 23 on the varsity. “I wore the number nine in the Olympics because it was four and five added together,” Jordan wrote in his 1998 book “For the Love of the Game.”

Each team has the their own numbers from 0-00 (00 being 100). As long as the number isn't taken or retired then a player can have whatever number on that team. If a player wants a retired number it's up to the organization and the retired number owner (or their family).

Kevin Porter Jr. LA Clippers | NBA.com.

7 was already taken by Dwight Powell, meaning he chose 77 instead to still show his respect for Spanoulis. Doncic wore No.7 at Real Madrid before taking 77 in DallasCredit: Getty. Explaining his number to EuroHoops, Doncic said: "He was really big time for my career.