Kobe Bryant's Number 24 Lakers Jersey History Explained

The Lakers' number 24 jersey is famous because Kobe Bryant wore it. He changed from number 8 to 24 in 2006. This number is now retired by the team.
By Newsroom | Sports, Basketball |

The Significance of a Jersey Number

The number 24 holds a notable place in the history of the Los Angeles Lakers, primarily due to its association with legendary players. Examining its usage provides insight into the team's player evolution and jersey number assignments across different eras. This analysis focuses on the historical context and player associations with the number 24.

Evolution of Lakers Jersey Numbers

The Los Angeles Lakers, tracing their origins back to the Minneapolis Lakers, have had numerous players don their jerseys. Jersey number assignments have varied throughout the team's history, reflecting changes in league trends and team traditions.

Lakers jersey history No. 24 — Adrian Branch - 1

  • Early Years: The Minneapolis Lakers era saw different numbering conventions before the team relocated to Los Angeles.

  • Los Angeles Era: Since moving to Los Angeles in 1960, the Lakers have maintained a continuous history of jersey number usage.

  • Modern Era: The team's jersey history includes a wide array of numbers worn by prominent and less recognized players.

Players Who Wore Number 24

The number 24 has been worn by several players throughout the Lakers' franchise history. While the provided data lists general jersey number assignments by player, it does not directly connect every instance of number 24 to specific players in a chronological or comprehensive manner for every season.

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  • Article 3 lists players by jersey number. It shows "Jersey Number 24" with no associated player names directly listed under it in the provided snippet. However, this article also notes that "Some players are duplicated since they have changed numbers through their careers, like Kobe Bryant, who switched from number 8 to 24."

  • Article 4, referencing an article by LeBron Wire, discusses Lakers jersey history for number 24 and mentions a player who wore it in 18 games, averaging 8.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 22.3 minutes a game. It does not name this player.

Specific Player Associations with Number 24

While the general roster data identifies players who wore specific numbers, detailed historical accounts often highlight significant associations.

  • Kobe Bryant: Article 3 explicitly states that Kobe Bryant switched from number 8 to number 24. This indicates a prominent historical wearer of the number for the Lakers.

Unresolved Questions

  • Did Adrian Branch wear the number 24 for the Lakers? Article 5 lists Adrian Branch jerseys but does not specify the number. Article 4 mentions "Baltico 'Bo' Erias" in relation to Lakers jersey history No. 24, but its summary does not confirm Branch wore this number for the Lakers. Further investigation would be needed to clarify this.

  • Which other players, beyond the implied association with Kobe Bryant, have officially worn the number 24 for the Los Angeles Lakers?

  • What were the specific seasons and game statistics for the unnamed player mentioned in Article 4 who wore number 24 for 18 games?

Conclusion

The number 24 is a significant jersey number in the Los Angeles Lakers' history, most notably associated with Kobe Bryant. While general jersey number lists exist, a definitive, season-by-season compilation of all players who wore number 24 for the Lakers is not fully detailed within the provided data. There is a need for more granular information to create a complete historical record of this number's usage by the franchise.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is the most famous player to wear number 24 for the Lakers?
The most famous player to wear number 24 for the Los Angeles Lakers is Kobe Bryant. He switched to this number from number 8 during his career.
Q: When did Kobe Bryant start wearing number 24 for the Lakers?
Kobe Bryant started wearing number 24 for the Lakers in the 2006-2007 NBA season. He wore it for the rest of his career.
Q: Are there other players who wore number 24 for the Lakers?
While Kobe Bryant is the most well-known, other players have worn number 24 for the Lakers. One unnamed player wore it for 18 games, averaging 8.2 points.
Q: What is the significance of number 24 for the Lakers?
The number 24 is significant for the Lakers because of Kobe Bryant's legendary career while wearing it. It represents a major part of the team's history and his legacy.
Q: Is number 24 retired by the Lakers?
Yes, the Los Angeles Lakers have retired both of Kobe Bryant's jersey numbers, 8 and 24, in his honor. This shows the immense respect the team has for his contributions.