What Number is Banned in the NBA?

As an NBA fanatic, I‘m fascinated by the stories and legends behind the numbers players wear. While the NBA doesn‘t formally prohibit any numbers, there are a few that you‘ll never see on the court due to tradition, reputation or practicality. Let‘s take a deeper look at the mystery around forbidden NBA numbers!

The Infamous #69

Of all the numbers never worn in an NBA game, #69 is the most notorious. The sexual meaning behind the digits has seemingly led the NBA to unofficially ban #69 from being issued. Dennis Rodman, always pushing boundaries, allegedly requested #69 when joining Dallas but was denied. He ended up in #70 instead. For a family-friendly league like the NBA, #69 is taboo.

In my opinion, #69 has become folklore simply because of the buzz around the NBA banning it. Similar to how Michael Jordan made #23 iconic, the unwritten rule on #69 has made it legendary in its own right!

More Unofficial Banned Numbers

Beyond #69, there are a few other numbers you‘ll almost never see on an NBA court:

• Single digits 6-9 – Requires two hands for the ref‘s signal, hence not used in the NBA or NCAA.
• Teens 16-19 – Extremely rare in the NBA.
• 50s numbers – Only Dennis Rodman wore this range.
• Double zero – Allowed but very seldom issued.

Here‘s a table of the least used numbers in NBA history, showing just how rare it is to stray from tradition:

As we‘ll explore next, the NBA does give players free reign on picking their numbers within basic guidelines. But players tend to stick to customary numbers likely due to superstition and habit.

NBA‘s Number Rules – Flexibility Within Limits

The NBA places few restrictions on what numbers players can adopt. The official rules allow any number from 0 to 99 as well as 00. This gives players creativity compared to leagues like the NFL. There are no requirements based on your position. Heck, a point guard could wear #95 if he chose! Here are the basics:

• 0-99 and 00 are fair game.
• No duplicate numbers allowed on the same team.
• Exceptions made for preseason and summer league.

So across the league, you‘ll see numbers that mirror their counterparts in recreational or high school basketball. But there are still unwritten norms around "big man" numbers versus "guard" numbers as I‘ll discuss next.

Player Number Trends and Positions

Based on today‘s NBA rosters, you can observe some patterns in how players pick numbers by their position:

• Guards – Prefer single digits and low teens like #1, #2, #3.
• Wings – Distributed across single digits to mid teens.
• Bigs – Typically wear numbers in the 20s, 30s or 40s. The higher the number, the bigger they are!

Here‘s a breakdown of the most common number selections by position:

So in summary, while not mandated, numbered jerseys still end up aligning with player height and role!

Now let‘s look at some all-time greats who made unorthodox digits iconic.

When Players Break the Number Mold

While less common, there are plenty of examples of players adopting unique numbers that later became synonymous with their personal brand:

• Dennis Rodman – #91
• James Harden – #13
• Allen Iverson – #3
• George Mikan – #99

In many cases, these players had no choice but to pick an obscure number as their preferred number was taken. But their incredible play wearing the number made it legendary. Just consider how Allen Iverson made #3 a sensation, especially with his signature arm sleeve.

Now let‘s move on to the select few numbers that have been permanently enshrined across the entire league.

Honoring NBA Legends – Retired League-Wide Numbers

To date, only two numbers have been retired across the entire NBA:

• #42 – In honor of Jackie Robinson‘s barrier-breaking baseball career. Retired in 1997.
• #99 – Honoring "The Great One" Wayne Gretzky‘s dominance in hockey. Retired in 2000.

The late, great Bill Russell will soon join their ranks, with the NBA permanently retiring his #6 jersey this season. After 11 championships with the Celtics, Russell‘s legacy more than earns this recognition.

Considering over 4,000 players have entered the NBA, it is incredible such a small handful have their numbers retired universally. It elevates players like Russell to true legends of their sport. These types of honors preserve their unmatched impact for future generations.

Notable Numbers in NBA History

Beyond the retired greats, many outstanding players made their numbers synonymous with their stellar play and personality:

• #23 – Michael Jordan – I don‘t need to explain MJ‘s iconic jersey that later lent its fame to Jordan sneakers and Nike‘s entire brand.
• #24 – Kobe Bryant – The "Black Mamba" carried the torch from MJ, winning five rings in #24.
• #34 – Shaquille O‘Neal – Shaq‘s superman dunks created endless highlights in the purple #34.
• #8 – Kobe Bryant – Before switching to 24, a young Kobe won three straight titles wearing #8.
• #32 – Magic Johnson – Showtime was in full effect during the Lakers‘ 1980s reign with Magic rocking #32.

The list goes on and on. It‘s amazing how often a player and number become inseparable in fans‘ minds.

Now let‘s discuss an example of numbering tradition in college basketball, which differs from the open-ended NBA approach.

Comparing to College Hoops Tradition

Unlike the NBA, the NCAA has precise rules around number usage that have created quirky traditions:

• Numbers 1-5 are reserved for starters.
• Numbers must be sequential based on eligibility.
• Only certain digits are permitted based on position.

Freshmen wear lower digits like #12 or #21. Numbers climb each year as they gain experience. And as mentioned earlier, single digits can‘t be used. This structured system creates fascinating number patterns you pick up on as a fan.

The NCAA rules around numbering add to the notion of paying your dues at the collegiate level. To wear a lower number, you have to earn it!

Key Takeaways: What‘s in a Number?

In closing, I find it fascinating how much weight a player‘s number carries regardless of the league. Although stars help define certain numbers, players still often choose based on superstition and habit. And the numbers that go unused like #69 carry an allure all their own as "forbidden fruit."

It‘s why Bill Russell‘s #6 being retired league-wide is so significant and deserved. The number helped define his legendary career and now is attached to his legacy forever.

So what number will the next NBA legend adopt to build their own iconic story? We‘ll just have to keep watching!

Let me know if you have any other NBA numbering trivia or stories to share! I could talk hoops all day.