Retired Jersey Numbers of the Los Angeles Lakers: Pau Gasol Joins Exclusive Club

There is no greater honor for an NBA player than to have his team retire his jersey.

Pau Gasol was given that honor on Tuesday when the Los Angeles Lakers lifted his No. 16 jersey to the rafters.

The Spanish center became emotional as his jersey was placed next to other Laker greats.

Besides Gasol, who are the other Lakers to have their jerseys retired by the franchise? Let’s dive in.

Kobe Bryant (#8 and #24)

The Lakers retired the No. 8 and No. 24 jerseys on December 18, 2017, in honor of the late great Kobe Bryant. He led the Lakers to five NBA titles, three while wearing the iconic #8 and two while wearing #24, per NBA.com.

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Bryant was named NBA Finals MVP in 2009 and 2010. He is the Lakers' all-time leading scorer in the regular season and the playoffs.

Wilt Chamberlain (#13)

The No. 13 jersey was retired by the Lakers on November 9, 1983, in honor of Wilt Chamberlain. “The Big Dipper” was part of the 1971-72 Lakers team that won an NBA record 33 straight contests and a then-NBA record 69 games overall.

He was named Most Valuable Player of the 1972 NBA Finals, averaging 14.7 points and 21.0 rebounds in that championship series.

Elgin Baylor (#22)

The No. 22 jersey was retired by the Lakers on November 9, 1983, in honor of Elgin Baylor. He ranks among all-time franchise leaders in numerous categories, including points (3rd, 23,149), rebounds (1st, 11,463), and assists (6th, 3,650).

Gail Goodrich (#25)

The No. 25 jersey was retired on November 20, 1996, by the Lakers in honor of Gail Goodrich. He was part of the Lakers' 1971-72 NBA Championship team.

Goodrich ranks among all-time club leaders in several categories, including games played (9th, 687), free throws made (7th, 2,830), total points (6th, 13,044), and assists (7th, 2,863). He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996.

Magic Johnson (#32)

The No. 32 jersey was retired on February 16, 1992, by the Lakers in honor of Earvin "Magic" Johnson. He was a member of five NBA championship teams with the Lakers, winning the title in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988.

Johnson led the league in assists in five consecutive seasons (1982-83 thru 1986-87) and trails only John Stockton in the NBA’s all-time assist chart. The 12-time NBA All-Star appeared in the NBA Finals nine times during his 13-year career.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (#33)

The No. 33 jersey was retired by the Lakers on March 20, 1990, in honor of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The league’s second all-time leading scorer led the Lakers in scoring a club-record 11 consecutive seasons from 1975-76 thru 1985-86.

Abdul-Jabbar was a member of six NBA championship teams. He won five titles with the Lakers and one championship with Milwaukee. Kareem won the MVP six times, the most in NBA history. He was named NBA Finals MVP twice, winning the award in 1971 and 1985.

Shaquille O’Neal (#34)

The No. 34 jersey was retired on April 2, 2013, by the Lakers in honor of Shaquille O’Neal. He helped lead Los Angeles to three straight NBA championships from 2000 to 2002.

The 15-time NBA All-Star ranks among the league’s all-time league leaders in points (6th, 28,596), rebounds (14th, 13,099), and blocks (8th, 2,732). He was named the NBA’s MVP in 2000.

James Worthy (#42)

The No. 42 jersey was retired by the Lakers on December 10, 1995, in honor of James Worthy. He was named Most Valuable Player of the 1988 NBA Finals, averaging 22.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in that series.

He produced one of the most outstanding performances by a Laker in a playoff game, registering a triple-double in Game 7 of the 1988 NBA Finals. The seven-time All-Star won the NBA Championship three times with the Lakers (1985, 1987, 1988).

Jerry West (#44)

The No. 44 jersey was retired on November 19, 1983, by the Lakers in honor of Jerry West. He is the Lakers' all-time leading scorer, racking up 25,192 points.

He was named MVP of the 1969 NBA Finals despite the Lakers losing that series. The 14-time NBA All-Star was a Lakers’ 1972 NBA championship team member. West was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1979.

Jamaal Wilkes (#52)

The No. 52 jersey was retired by the Lakers on December 28, 2012, in honor of Jamaal Wilkes. He was part of four NBA championship teams, three with the Lakers in 1980, 1982, and 1985.

The Hall of Famer ranks among the franchise leaders in points (10th, 10,601) and steals (9th, 706).

Mikan was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959 and was named one of the “50 Greatest Players in NBA History.”

He led the Minneapolis Lakers to the 1948 NBL Championship. Mikan also won NBA Championships with the Lakers in 1949, 1950, and 1952-54.

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