The NBA is allowing players to change their jersey numbers mid-season in order to honor the legacies of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna.
So far Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie, Orlando Magic guard Terrence Ross and New Orleans Pelicans forward Jahlil Okafor have all officially declared their plans to switch numbers, the teams announced this week.
In addition to these changes …
- Detroit Pistons forward Markieff Morris plans to change his number from No. 8 to No. 88, according to a report from James Edwards III of The Athletic.
- Golden State Warriors guard Alec Burks plans to switch from No. 8 to No. 20, according to a report from Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.
- LA Clippers forward Moe Harkless reportedly will switch from No. 8 to No. 11, according to Charania.
- Philadelphia 76ers guard Zhaire Smith wore No. 7 instead of No. 8 during a win over the Warriors on Tuesday. But after the game, he said he plans to wear No. 5 for the remainder of the season.
However, the Lakers, Pistons, Warriors, Clippers and 76ers have not yet officially announced these number changes.
Dinwiddie, Ross and Okafor are all switching from No. 8 to new numbers. Dinwiddie will switch to No. 26, Ross will switch to No. 31 and Okafor has yet to decide on a new number. Ross had worn No. 31 for his entire eight-year career before switching to No. 8 for the 2019-20 season.
According to Marc Stein of The New York Times, the league is reviewing jersey number requests on a “case-by-case basis”. There are 21 players in the NBA who wear No. 8 this season and 13 players who wear No. 24.
