Numerology: What goes into choosing a uniform? Hornets explain meaning behind jersey numbers.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The final syllable hadn’t quite rolled off the tongue of the inquisitor and Charles Lee chuckled, fully aware what was coming next as if there were a pack of tarot cards stacked in front of him.
“It makes me laugh, as you just noticed, as soon as you asked me,” the Charlotte Hornets coach said. “But everybody finds their own thing that kind of either motivates them — they were that draft pick and this many teams passed on me — or it’s a family hand-me-down number.
“But everyone has a different thing of what’s significant to them. And I appreciate that while also still kind of finding humor in it as well.”
Welcome to the world of jersey numbers, a cultural phenomenon for some and a spiritual reminder for others. To an NBA player, selecting the particular numeral that will be attached to their uniform and overall likeness can be an inexact science.
Money or creativity is often a necessity because a certain number isn’t initially available, leading to choices that may have an even deeper meaning. But the precise variables that go into the decision differ by the individual, making the process far from easy.
Their direct reasoning usually stems from an event or memory woven into their inner fabric, leading to all kinds of backstories that leave those like Lee smirking when they’re brought up.
“I’m not surprised because just like with anything, everybody has some sentimental value to why they do what they do for the most part,” Cody Martin said. “And a lot of that has to do with their numbers. Whether it’s their favorite player’s, birthday, has something to do with their family, some people are spiritual — all those things.
“So, I’m not really surprised that being superstitious, basically having something like that, it just means a lot to people.”
Here are the stories behind the numbers of the Hornets, as told to The Charlotte Observer:
Miles Bridges, No. 0
“It’s the closest thing to one. I wear No. 1, but Melo got it. When I first got here, Malik Monk had it. But I’ve learned to like 0, though. I used to wear 22 in college. But I like 0. I’m starting to warm up to it, I’ve warmed up to it.”
Did you have a choice when selecting as a rookie in 2018?
“Yeah, it was either my college number 22 or 0. So, I just picked the closest number to one.”
LaMelo Ball, No. 1
“One of one. I’m that one. God, man, He just picks it for you and you just gravitate to it. It just comes to you. But nah, on some real (stuff) though, when I was mad young, I was 23. That was my first number. And then I always played up (in age groups), right?
“So, I was small, little as (heck). The smallest kid on the court. And the jersey was so small, the two and three didn’t fit on you. So, you’ve got to get the smallest number just for the little line. But I love 1, though. And from there it was just up.”
You were No. 2 after you got drafted in 2020 …
“I was supposed to be 1 forever — I ain’t never was supposed to have been 2. But Malik Monk, yeah I can’t believe Malik had it.”
DaQuan Jeffries, No. 3
“I wouldn’t say it’s really anything special. I originally wanted 8, but I couldn’t have 8. But three things that’s most important to me — God, family and basketball. So that’s really the main reason I wear it other than being able to not get 8.”
What made 8 so special?
“A service from a pastor back in Oklahoma. The service was just talking about how the growth of bamboo is and the infinity sign and the actual meaning behind it. So, that’s why I wanted 8 and I wore 8 when I was in New York as well.”
Mark Williams, No. 5
“I’ve worn it before in the past, like AAU. High school, I was 24. At Duke I was 15. I might have kept 15, but I thought they were going to retire Kemba (Walker’s) jersey. I had the option but I wasn’t going to do that. Because I wore it at Duke, I was the 15th pick. I probably would have.
“But I was just like, ‘Nah, Kemba did too much for the team. I ain’t going to do that.’ Especially if they did, then I’d have to change it later on. But I wore 5 before. I like 5. So yeah, look good, feel good, play good.”
So, the number doesn’t matter as much to you really?
“I mean, it matters to a degree. I’m not picking no ugly jersey number. But I wore 5; I like 5. If it means something and there’s a meaning behind it, you obviously respect people.”
Nick Smith Jr., No. 8
“My favorite player for real is Kobe Bryant. But my favorite number for real — three — is family-oriented. But they didn’t really have it, so I had to go with eight. But Kobe is my favorite player, though. So. it’s a responsibility wearing it.”
Why is 3 special for you?
“I just grew up wearing 3. My parents, my mom, always picked that number out when I was younger so I just stuck with it.”
Josh Green, No. 10
“Well, I was going to wear No. 8, and then Nick Smith was wearing No. 8. But Kobe was the reason I played, so I kind of just pick Kobe numbers. Kobe wore No. 10 for (Team) USA, so I wore No. 8 before in Dallas. So, yeah, kind of new start, new number.”
Cody Martin, No. 11
“To be honest, there’s not a particular reason. Me and my brother (Caleb) always kind of wore one number apart. Growing up, when we were in AAU, we were one and two. In high school, we were 15 and 14 and my brother wore 14 because of my older brother. I used to wear 15 because I like Vince Carter.
“And then when we went to college, same thing. We went to Nevada. It’s what they had available, but we were always a number apart — 10 and 11. And really then he ended up going to Miami and kind of switched it up and went to 16, just to mix it up and have a fresh start. And 11 just stuck with me for a while since I was in college.”
Why one number apart? What was the meaning behind that?
“We did one number apart because I was always older by one minute. So, every time there was always one apart. So, 14 and 15, 10 and 11, 1 and 2. Big brother stuff.”
Moussa Diabaté, No. 14
“There ain’t no real specific reason. I used to wear 14 back when I was younger. And really it was just between 14 and 25. It’s really the two numbers I had chose. That’s it. Nothing really.”
Isaiah Wong, No. 21
“My jersey number is like a family number. All my family members, they wore that number — 21. So, that’s pretty much it. I don’t even know who did it first for real, but I just know that all my family members wore the number 21. So, I just wanted to keep it up.”
Vasa Micic, No. 22
“So, my favorite numbers are 9 and 13. So, when I signed my contract in Turkey my first year, I had to pick some numbers. Both of them were occupied or busy. So I chose 22 — nine plus 13 — and it really became something I love so much.
“So, many great memories with this number. I’m not superstitious, but I like this number.”
Were you upset or happy when those favorite numbers weren’t available?
“Definitely happy. Because it creates, for me, let’s say some sort of legacy in Europe. So I’m very happy with it.”
Brandon Miller, No. 24
“Indiana Pacers, Paul George. Twenty-four was the Paul George I watched. Learning his game and just applying it to mine makes me better.”
When was the first time you wore that number?
“I was always 24. I’ve worn 24 my whole life.”
So then when you got to the Hornets …
“I was like, ‘Appreciate it. Thanks again.’ I’ve always been 24. I was 22 in AAU with Brad Beale, but I didn’t pick that number. They picked that number.”
KJ Simpson, No. 25
“There weren’t many to choose from. Nah, but No. 25, that used to be my best friend’s number. He’s literally like … blood couldn’t make us closer. Him and my family, we are so close and his dad, he coached me all the way up to high school.
“So, he’s the reason I kind of made it here. So, it’s kind of just representing my best friend (Keith Higgins). He used to wear that number and we used to play together.”
What was their reaction when you explained why you chose the number?
“Honestly, they felt honored. In a way it was paying my respects to say thank you for everything. His dad, what he did to get me to this position and everything.
“And my best friend, he’s still playing at Lehigh right now. So, it’s kind of like paying my respects. And so I know they felt honored and kind of live in this moment coming on this journey with me.”
Seth Curry, No. 30
“Throughout my career, college whatever, whenever I had a chance to get 30, I’d get 30. Family number obviously, just following in my dad’s footsteps, trying to represent the family.”
Can you explain what it meant to get that No. 30 with the Hornets?
“Yeah, it meant everything. That’s the jersey I wanted to wear as a kid growing up. That was the dream. Yeah, that was always the dream, being able to put that jersey on. The first game after getting traded here last year and seeing it hung up in my locker was a special moment.”
Tidjane Salaün, No. 31
“Just because that’s my sister’s number. So, I just wanted to wear her number because I like it. For me, the No. 31 is for all the work that we do to arrive here to the top level. Where we are from, from the bottom to now, that represents that for me.”
Taj Gibson, No. 67
“It represents where I’m from. P.S. 67 school in the heart of Fort Greene, Brooklyn. We raise money for awareness. and all money that goes from anything that I wear for P.S. 67 goes into the school.
“It’s been that way for years and years and every kid from downtown Brooklyn and Fort Greene, that’s our school. And that’s why I wear 67.”
How much pride does it give knowing you’re bringing attention to where you grew up?
“It’s a lot of pride because my original number was 22, but this number is bigger than me. This represents where I’m from, it represents the young kids. But that public school is the essence of where we are from. And it’s in the heart of Fort Greene, Brooklyn.”