The tradition and history of jersey numbers in sports can often tell compelling stories all on their own. This year's USA Men's Basketball National Team is no exception, carrying forward a rich tapestry of legacy and achievement through the numbers on their backs.
Jayson Tatum: The Legacy of No. 10
Jayson Tatum will don the No. 10 jersey for Team USA, a number that carries an illustrious past. Previous wearers include Kevin Garnett, Reggie Miller, Anthony Edwards, and the legendary Kobe Bryant. Tatum, with his stellar performance with the Boston Celtics, becomes the latest in an exclusive list of basketball greats to wear the iconic number. This jersey tag, listing these legends, serves as both an honor and a reminder of the greatness expected on the court.
Bam Adebayo and the Significance of No. 13
Bam Adebayo will sport the No. 13 jersey for Team USA at the Paris Games. His choice is not just a nod to his personal history, as he already wears No. 13 for the Miami Heat, but also to the lineage of great players who have worn it before him in international competitions. Tim Duncan and Kevin Love wore No. 13 during the 2004 and 2012 Olympics, respectively, while Shaquille O'Neal graced the global stage with the same number in the 1992 and 1996 Games. Reflecting on his choice, Adebayo shared a special connection, saying, "I love the number because my mother also wore it in high school." This personal touch adds another layer of significance to his jersey number.
LeBron James Continues to Shine with No. 6
LeBron James, poised to make his fourth Olympic appearance, will wear the No. 6 jersey. The number has been previously worn by none other than his Team USA coach Steve Kerr during the 1986 FIBA World Cup. Joining this legacy are Penny Hardaway, Patrick Ewing, and the iconic Bill Russell. LeBron’s decision to wear No. 6 continues to build on a storied history of basketball excellence.
Tyrese Haliburton Embraces No. 9
Tyrese Haliburton will take on the responsibility of wearing No. 9, a jersey number that has seen basketball royalty like Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, Andre Iguodala, DeMar DeRozan, Dwayne Wade, and LeBron James. Although Haliburton humbly admits, "I was given this number... I'm the young guy so I just get thrown a number, so not a bad number to get thrown," he also acknowledges the magnitude of this honor with, "It's a pretty good crew."
Stephen Curry and the Prestige of No. 4
Stephen Curry will wear No. 4 for Team USA, continuing a lineage of talented players such as Jimmy Butler, Chauncey Billups, Carlos Boozer, and Allen Iverson. When discussing the heritage of his new number, Curry remarked, "That's a pretty solid list." His recognition of the number's prestige mirrors his own high standards of performance and contribution to the team.
Each number on the jerseys of this year's Team USA Men's Basketball squad tells a story of past glories and sets the stage for future achievements. As these athletes step onto the court, they wear not just numbers, but legacies that speak volumes about the history and spirit of American basketball.