For many athletes, choosing a jersey number is a trivial task. However for some, its significance could hold an important value to them. This number will be used to identify them on the court, so for many, their basketball jersey number has a strong connection to what they stand for as an athlete. 

“Both my dad and my grandpa’s birthday are on the 22nd of their respective months,” senior Carsen Schultz said. “So I felt like that would be [a] nice commemoration to them.”

For some, their jersey numbers could come from important people in their lives. For other athletes, their childhood is a major motivation for their numbers.

“When I was little, like super young age, like five or six, I used to be number two,” junior Brayden Mauro said. “When I got the opportunity to be number two again, that’s what I took.”

While many jersey numbers come from family, some other numbers can stick with players from the beginning of their journey. This tie-in to an athlete’s childhood can be a nice remembrance to their younger selves.

“I think it’s just a nice thing,” Mauro said. “It brings back memories from my earlier years of basketball, so I like to keep it going.”

Having a number with meaning can give players a sense of loyalty towards their jersey. Many athletes are sticking with their number until the end of their careers.

“I’ve kind of stuck with it since getting it sophomore year, and then this will be my last year,” Schultz said.

No matter the jersey they may wear, they’re committed to keeping their number. Mauro said that he would only change his jersey if he was forced to.

“My jersey is a little big, but I would like to sustain number two,” Mauro said.