Rules in basketball about numbers have changed over the years. In the 1940's and 1950's, players could have numbers like #77 and #95. In 1956, Mike Owens was #7. Then in the 1960's, the rule was that you had to have two digit numbers and nothing over 5 so the ref could signal it on one hand. So #7 and #77 were out. At home players wore an even number and on the road an odd number. So one of my hero's, Alan Cottral wore #10 at home and #11 on the road. Sometime in the late 1900's, single digit numbers were allowed again. In the last year, colleges allow any number.
In HS football, I wore 46, 80, and 15. I have no idea why I chose those numbers or if they were assigned to me. Basketball was a different story. As a sophomore, I wore 40 on the varsity because the juniors and seniors were given first choice. As a junior, I got to choose, I picked #10. I chose #10 because it had been Allen Cottral's number for Savanna almost ten years earlier. He was the point guard on a really good Savanna team and I was a point guard. So I was #10 at home and #11 on the road.
In sports, players become attached to “their number.” When my girls basketball players would sign a card to someone, they sign their name and put their number. They are not told to do that, it is just how it works. When a player turns 16 and gets a car, often their license plate has their initials and “their number.” The number is part of their athletic identity.
Years ago I went to a Bob Knight Coaching Academy at Indiana University. We spent 3 full days watching practices, listening to lectures, and touring their facilities. One of the neat things was that when we went into the locker room, each locker had a sign in it that listed every Hoosiers player who had ever won that number. Can you imagine the feeling that you were wearing the same number as past Hoosier greats? It has to create a sense that you are playing for the “Hoosier tradition.”
I am writing this essay after watching the USA women’s team play in the Olympics. I don’t know the rules of Olympic competition well enough to explain it but it appears either the Olympics limits number options or perhaps USA Basketball has a tradition of limiting the numbers available. Many of the players cannot wear “their number,” they have to pick another number.
Players have talked about how “their new number,” impacts them. A’ja Wilson talked about the pride of the first time she put on a USA jersey- the sense of accomplishment and the honor of representing something really big. Then as she became more familiar with the history of the Team USA, she gained even more pride. A’ja wears #9 for Team USA, she found out that #9 was the number of Cheryl Miller and Lisa Leslie. This had an impact on what her obligation and responsibility was in carrying on their tradition. Kelsie Plum is #5, which is the same number of Dawn Staley. Plum says this impacted how she feels she needs to lead when on the floor.
So a player's number is not just part of their identity, often the number ties them to some tradition. It becomes a source of inspiration. So yes, numbers are a big deal!
Casey and Garrett Williams at Galesburg HS both wore the number 20. Casey wore #20 for the Streaks girls basketball team, and Garrett wore #20 for the Streaks boys basketball team. Their father, Rob wore #20 for Benton HS and Northern Iowa University. Rob's cousin, Chris Collins wore #20 for Duke. Rob’s uncle, Doug Collins wore #20 for ISU and the ‘76ers. #20 is a family tradition. Can you imagine the extra pride for Casey and Garrett to put on #20 and think of all the great players in their family who have worn that. I am guessing there was some extra pride and importance- and I am betting it did impact their play.
Casey Williams talking about #20- I played multiple sports growing up, but basketball was my favorite because that’s what my dad played. Being able to choose your number is so important because it allows you to be unique and carry on a legacy. I never played on a team where I was able to have my last name printed on the jersey, so a number was important. Choosing to wear #20 was a testament to how much I looked up to my dad and brother, since that was the number they both wore. The legacy doesn’t end there though as my dad wore #20 to carry on his uncles legacy in the sport we all love. I hope one day one of my children chooses to play basketball and also wear the #20!
Molly Watson talking about #14- If I recall correctly - # 14 was available in basketball when I was in high school. I was excited to wear that number because my older brother Johnny had been #14.
Our younger brother Jordan then chose to wear #14 so it just became a family tradition. There was definitely a feeling of representing our family with #14 in the Watson family.
Some of our kids and nieces and nephews have also worn #14. It’s been fun to see the next generation in our family learn about the importance of 14 to the Watson family!
Mark Wilson picking #44- Mark played for the Streaks in the early 1970's, he chose #44 because it was worn by Barry Swanson in 1966.
Barry Swanson picking #44- Barry chose #44 because it was worn by Rick Callahan and Jerry West.
Lexi Daniels talking about #14- I wore number 14 because that was always my dad’s Sprint Car number. As I was growing up I spent a lot of time at the race track and around his Sprint Car. So 14 became the number I always wanted when it came to anything sports and being competitive!
Sean Hanlon talking about #24- For athletes, your jersey number is special. It can really become part of your identity. For me, it’s #24. My love for that number started when I was in elementary school and watched Mark Junk proudly don #24 the Galesburg Silver Streaks. Loved how he carried himself and played the game.
My freshman year at GHS year I wore #42 as the “reverse” of #24 as CJ Ramage (a senior) had that number for the varsity basketball team that season. But my sophomore year of high school, #24 became my jersey number. It remained #24 throughout high school and college, and still is! (Even my Irish teammates know to hold #24 for me when I get to play with them.)
And my son, Jake, has worn #24 each of his AAU or club basketball seasons since he was 10. Love seeing the number on his back.
My brother, Patrick, also wore #24 as his basketball jersey number. And my wife, Karla, wore #24 for your GHS varsity basketball team!
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