It looks like LaMelo Ball will be sporting a new jersey number for the first time in his basketball career. After long, long being No. 1 at every stop of his basketball career from Chino Hills to Lithuania to the JBA to Spire and Illawarra, it appears Ball will be No. 2 this season in Charlotte.
Malik Monk currently has the No. 1 jersey for Charlotte, forcing Ball to make a jersye number change for the first time in his career. The No. 2 jersey for the Hornets does have a long and decorated history.
Larry Johnson first wore the No. 2 jersey, making it a stunning move that his jersey is even available given how great he was for the team after its expansion. He wore the jersey for five seasons from 1992 until 1996.
After that, there was a lengthy break before the jersey was worn again in 2000 by Dale Ellis. A long, long list of players have worn the jersey since, including Shaun Livingston in 2011. The most recent player to wear the jersey was Marvin Williams, who played six seasons in Charlotte.
Potentially part of the reason Ball has long worn the No. 1 jersey is that brothers Lonzo and LiAngelo wore Nos. 2 and 3, respectively.