The Ultimate Guide to NBA Players Who Wore Number 22 Throughout History

As I sit down to reflect on the iconic jersey numbers in NBA history, my mind immediately drifts to number 22. Having followed basketball for over two decades, I've developed a particular fascination with how certain numbers become intertwined with legendary careers. While today's headlines might be dominated by stories like the Red Warriors' unfortunate 95-76 defeat against Far Eastern University - their thirteenth consecutive loss according to Sunday's game at Smart Araneta Coliseum - I find myself drawn to the deeper historical narratives that numbers can tell us about the game we love.

The story of number 22 in the NBA begins with the trailblazers who established its legacy. When I first started seriously studying basketball history back in the late 90s, I remember being struck by how many versatile forwards wore this number. Elgin Baylor, though he only wore 22 for part of his career, embodied what would become the prototype for future players choosing this number - versatile scorers who could rebound and create for others. His footwork and body control remain, in my opinion, some of the most underappreciated aspects of basketball evolution. Then there's Clyde Lovellette, the Hall of Fame center who wore 22 while helping the Celtics win the 1964 championship. What many modern fans might not realize is that in those early days, numbers often reflected positional conventions that have since disappeared.

The 70s and 80s really cemented number 22's reputation for excellence. Larry Nance comes immediately to mind - his athleticism was absolutely breathtaking for a man standing 6'10". I've watched countless archival tapes of his games, and his defensive timing still amazes me. He blocked 1,067 shots before they officially tracked them as a statistic, which tells you something about his impact. Then there's George McGinnis, that bruising forward who averaged 27.4 points and 12.6 rebounds during his ABA MVP season while wearing 22. The way he combined strength and skill influenced an entire generation of power forwards. These players weren't just good - they were revolutionary in how they expanded what their positions could do.

My personal favorite era for number 22 has to be the 90s, when I was really coming of age as a basketball fan. Eddie Jones made that number look so smooth during his time with the Lakers - his 2.7 steals per game in 2000 still feels like an incredible achievement. But the player who truly defined the number for me was Jim Jackson. I'll never forget watching him put up 25.7 points per game for the Mavericks in 1995. There was something about his mid-range game that felt both classic and modern simultaneously. These players carried the number through what I consider basketball's most physically demanding era, adapting to the increased athleticism while maintaining fundamental soundness.

The modern era has seen number 22 continue its legacy of versatility. When I analyze today's game, I'm struck by how players like Wizards-era Mike Miller used the number while shooting 48% from three-point range in 2007 - a percentage that still holds up as elite by today's standards. Then there's the current generation with players like Andrew Wiggins, whose athletic profile feels like a direct descendant of those earlier number 22 pioneers. His 17.7 points per game career average might not jump off the page, but having watched him develop, I believe his two-way potential remains among the most intriguing in today's game.

What fascinates me most about tracking jersey numbers is noticing patterns that transcend eras. Number 22 consistently attracts players who bridge traditional positional divides. Whether it's the 1960s or 2020s, there's this throughline of players who refuse to be pigeonholed. They're the Swiss Army knives of their respective generations - capable of scoring, rebounding, and creating in equal measure. In my research, I've counted at least 47 significant players who've worn number 22 for multiple seasons, creating what I'd argue is one of the most consistently productive number lineages in league history.

As basketball continues evolving, I'm convinced number 22 will maintain its distinctive character. The game's movement toward positionless basketball actually makes the qualities associated with this number more valuable than ever. While we might see more dramatic statistical lines like the 95-76 score from that Red Warriors game I mentioned earlier, the fundamental appeal of versatile, multi-skilled players remains constant. Having watched thousands of games across five decades, I can confidently say that when I see a new player choose number 22, my expectations automatically elevate. There's just something about that number that seems to attract special talents - players who understand that greatness comes not from fitting into boxes, but from breaking them altogether.