Most NBA fans might not remember Orlando Woolridge, but prior to the Michael Jordan era, he was the marquee player for the Chicago Bulls. And he was the first player in NBA history to wear #0 on his jersey permanently. Considered one of the most gifted dunkers in professional basketball, he was also a good scorer, averaging 20+ in four seasons. Since then, the number zero has had some great players, and some that one day might make the list. For example, current players wearing #0 include Aaron Holiday, Anthony Black, and Jaylen Wells. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the best NBA players to wear Jersey No.0.
The Best NBA Players to Wear #0 Jersey
Gilbert Arenas
Known as Agent Zero, Gilbert Arenas chose the number to prove people wrong. He was drafted 31st overall and had a lot of doubters in his early days. Yet, he won Most Improved Player in his second season and had a brief period of utter dominance. At his height, he averaged 29.3 points per game at a time when teams were scoring less than 100 points. He made three All-Star teams, but after the infamous locker room incident, his career went downhill. Cleveland Cavaliers and Washington Wizards fans remember the battles between him and LeBron James.
Kevin Love
Kevin Love has worn Number 0 and Number 42 during his career. Many people remember him for the number 0, the jersey he wore during his Cleveland Cavaliers days. Love was a double-double machine in Minnesota, but the team was not going anywhere. Once he got traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, he became a champion and made the Finals four years in a row. He no longer wears No.0, but still remains one of the best NBA players to wear jersey No.0.
Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook has worn No.0 for most of his career. He didn’t have it during his Wizards days, and now with the Denver Nuggets. Westbrook is arguably a top-five point guard of all time. He is one of three players to average a triple-double for a full season, alongside Nikola Jokic and Oscar Robertson. Many will point to his chaotic play in the playoffs as the reason he doesn’t have a title. But Westbrook is a former MVP and one of the most recognizable players in the league.
Damian Lillard
Here is another legendary point guard without a championship title. Damian Lillard is a true legend of the league and was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team. A future Hall of Famer, Lillard deserves to be on the list. And he has not worn any other jersey besides #0. Aside from his rookie season, he has 12 consecutive seasons of averaging 20+ points.
Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum is the second player on our list of best NBA players to wear jersey No.0 and win a title. He might go down as the greatest player to ever wear No.0. He is on a six-year streak of making the All-Star team. He is also on a four-year streak for making the All-NBA first team. His injury will probably stop the streak, but nobody should doubt that Tatum will come back stronger. He is only 26 years old and already an NBA champion.
Tyrese Haliburton
Tyrese Haliburton is another bright young star wearing No.0. Still only 24 years old, he has a good chance to make it to the NBA Finals this year and maybe win it. Considered overrated by his peers, Tyrese is proving that he can be the best player on a contending team. His Indiana Pacers have made it to the NBA Eastern Conference Finals two years in a row.
Andre Drummond
Andre Drummond has said he is the best rebounding big man, and he might have a point there. He has led the league in rebounding four times and in offensive rebounds seven times. In fact, he had a streak from his second season up until 2019-20 when he led the league in offensive rebounds.
He has worn other jersey numbers, but most fans recognize him for the No.0 during his Detroit Pistons days.
Tyrese Maxey
The league is in great hands with young players like Tyrese Maxey, Halliburton, and Tatum, who are wearing No.0. Maxey is still very young and has a great upside. Some can argue he was the best player on the Philadelphia 76ers this season.
If the Sixers ever get healthy, Maxey can help them make it to the promised land. He won the Most Improved Player in the 2023-24 season and made his first All-Star appearance.
Honorable Mentions:
- Avery Bradley: Made the All-Defensive team two times.
- Donte DiVincenzo: One of the better role players in the league.
- Jeff Teague: Played 12 seasons, part of some of the best Atlanta Hawks teams.
- Nick Young: Maybe the most polarizing player on the list, he wore No.0 during his Lakers days.
Photo credit: © Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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