Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Sporting News
LeBron James jersey number: The simple reason Lakers star wears No. 6 instead of 23 for USA Olympics Basketball
By Gilbert McGregor,
3 hours ago
It's been 12 years but LeBron James is back in the red, white and blue with hopes of leading Team USA to another gold medal.
As much as things have changed, just as many have remained the same. While James has a few more gray hairs this time around, he's still performing at an elite level while wearing a number that fans have been accustomed to seeing him wear during his NBA career.
James, who switched back to wearing No. 23 with the Lakers before the 2023-24 NBA season, still wears No. 6 with Team USA as he did during the 2008 and 2012 Olympic games. Why does he opt for the single-digit for international competition?
James first wore No. 6 for Team USA at the 2006 FIBA World Championship. After announcing he would switch from No. 23 to No. 6 during the previous season, James adopted No. 6 for his four-season tenure with the Heat.
James has called 6 "a number of mine," referencing that his eldest son and Lakers teammate, Bronny, was born on Oct. 6 and his second son, Bryce, was born on June 14, the sixth month of the year.
In addition to the connection to his sons, James said that Julius Erving was one of his favorite players. Erving wore Nos. 32 and 6 during his career in the ABA and NBA.
Specific to Team USA, a now-outdated rule also contributed to James' number choice.
Before 2018, players were only permitted to wear Nos. 4-15 in FIBA competitions. As such, James could not opt for his traditional No. 23 even if it was his desired number with Team USA.
While other nations have adapted to the rules, Team USA still only uses Nos. 4-15 for its 12-player rosters in men's and women's 5-on-5 basketball.
It is worth noting that during James' Olympic debut, he wore No. 9 for Team USA while Dwyane Wade wore No. 6. The two swapped numerals moving forward.
James has worn Nos. 6, 9, 23 and 32 at major stops in his basketball career. He wore No. 32 as a high school freshman, an ode to Erving. During his time with the Cavaliers, he wore No. 6 during practices while wearing No. 23 in games.
James wore No. 23 for his first three seasons as a Laker before switching to No. 6 for two seasons and reverting to No. 23 in the 2023-24 season
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.
Comments / 0