NBA: Best Players to Wear Numbers 41 to 99 (2024)

Over a month ago I came out with the first part of this series examining the best players to don these jersey numbers. Well, here's the second part. The original slideshow can be foundhere.

Just like before, there will be recognizable names on the list and then there will be some numbers that either haven't been worn or only a certain few players have ever worn that number.

For the jersey number 41, DirkNowitzki is arguably the best player to wear the jersey. In his 12 year career so far, he's averaged 22.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, a block, on 47.3 percent shooting, 38 percent from three, 87.6 percent from the free throw line, and has an MVP Award.

Coming in second for the best player to wear the number 41 is Wes Unseld. If he had scored a little bitmore, he may have taken over Nowitzki for the top spot.

In Unseld's 13-year career, he averaged 10.8 points, 14 rebounds, 3.9 assists, on 50.9 percent shooting, 63.3 percent from the free throw line, has an MVP Award, a Finals MVP award, and one championship ring.

Glen Rice is the third best player to wear the number 41. He played 15 years in the NBA. He was one of the better shooters in NBA history, but could have used a little bit more of an all-around game to top this list.

In his career, he averaged 18.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, a steal, on 45.6 percent shooting, 40 percent from three, and 84.6 percent from the free throw line.

There was some competition at least for the number two and three spots for players who wore the jersey number 42. Number one there really was no doubt and that was Nate Thurmond.

Quite possibly one of the truly underrated big men to ever play the game and a great scorer and rebounder, Thurmond entered the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985.

In his career he averaged 15 points, 15 rebounds, 2.7 assists, on 42.1 percent shooting, and 66.7 percent from the free throw line.

James Worthy is the second best player to wear the jersey number 42. He was a member of the Showtime Lakers teams that was so dominant in the 80s.

In his career Worthy averaged 17.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.1 steals, on 52.1 percent shooting, 76.9 percent from the free throw line, has a Finals MVP award, and was a member of three championship teams.

The third best player to wear the number 42 is Elton Brand. Although, injuries have slowed down his career as of late, he was a tremendous player and, if he had an owner to spend money around him, he'd have more playoff appearances than just one.

Brand, in his career so far, has averaged 19.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists,two blocks, on 50.1 percent shooting, 73.6 percent from the free throw line, and has a Rookie of the Year Award.

While 43 wouldn't seem to be a popular number to wear, there have been three outstanding players to have worn the jersey. One of the players, if he hadn't had his career cut short by injuries, would have been number one instead is number two.

With that being said the best player to wear the number 43 is Jack Sikma. In his 14-year career, he averaged 15.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, a steal, on 46.4 percent shooting, 32.8 percent from three, 84.9 percent from the free throw line, and was a member of one championship team.

Brad Daugherty comes in as the second best player to wear the number 43. He played in just eight seasons, but in his career, he averaged 19 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, .8 blocks, on 53.2 percent shooting, and 74.7 percent from the free throw line.

Mychal Thompson played 13 seasons, but his last five were as a role player, so he didn't put up big numbers, which is why he's not over Daugherty, even though Thompson played longer.

In his career Thompson averaged 13.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 blocks, on 50.4 percent shooting, 65.5 percent shooting, and was a member of two championship teams.

There really wasn't much doubt who was going to be number one, but there were a few players that could have made the list as number two and number three. Jerry West is the best player to wear the jersey number 44. It's hard to argue, considering he is the silhouette of the NBA's log.

In 14 years in the NBA, West averaged 27 points, 6.7 assists, 5.8 rebounds, on 47.4 percent shooting, 81.4 percent from the free throw line, has a Finals MVP award, and one championship ring.

George Gervin was the second best player to wear the number 44. He started his career in the ABA and moved to the NBA. His combined stats in his 14-year career was 25.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.2 steals, on 50.4 percent shooting, and 84.1 percent from the free throw line.

Dan Issel is the third best player to wear the number 44 jersey. Like Gervin, he started off in the ABA and moved to the NBA. He combined to average 22.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, a steal, on 49.9 percent shooting, 79.3 percent from the free throw line, has a Rookie of the Year Award in the ABA, and was a member of one ABA championship team.

Chuck Person was one of the best three-point shooters in NBA history, another player who was truly underappreciated in his career. He played 13 seasons in the NBA.

He averaged 14.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, .7 steals, on 45.8 percent shooting, 36.2 percent from three, 72.3 percent from the free throw line, and has a Rookie of the Year Award.

A.C. Green was the definition of a role player. He wasn't counted on to score primarily, but he was always in the lineup. He would bang and grab big rebounds, and was a solid defender.

In his 17-year career he averaged 9.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, .8 steals, on 49.4 percent shooting, 73.4 percent from the free throw line, and was a member of three championship teams.

Purvis Short is the third best player to wear the number 45, although he didn't play his entire career wearing the number. He spent 10 of his 12 seasons in the NBA wearing the number 45.

His best season came in 1984-1985, when he averaged 28 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.5 steals, on 46 percent shooting, and 81.7 percent from the free throw line.

The number 46 was not a popular number, asonly four players have ever worn the jersey. The best player to wear the jersey was Dennis Bell of the New York Knicks, who played just three season in the NBA.

In his career, he averaged 2.8 points, 1.9 rebounds, .4 assists, .4 steals, on 37.4 percent shooting, and 53.5 percent from the free throw line.

The number 47, like 46, is not a popular number, asthere have been just five players ever to wear the number 47. Only Andrei Kirilenko is worth mentioning.

Kirilenk, by far, has had the best career wearing the jersey number 47. So far he has averaged 12.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals, on 47.1 percent shooting, 30.7 percent from three, and 76.3 percent from the free throw line.

Only one player has ever worn the jersey number 48 and that was Walt Gilmore of the Portland Trail Blazers all the way back in the 1970-1971 season when the Trail Blazers were first starting out in the NBA.

Gilmore only lasted a season averaging 2.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, .4 assists, on 42.6 percent shooting, and 46.2 percent from the free throw line.

Only two players have worn the jersey number 49 in NBA history. The only player to wear it for more than one season was Shandon Anderson.

Anderson did not start off his career wearing the number 49. In his first five seasons he wore the number 40. It was the last five seasons playing for the Knicks and then the Miami Heat that he wore the number 49.

His best season came in 2002-2003, when he averaged 8.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, .9 steals, on 46.2 percent shooting, 37.1 percent from three, and 73.2 percent from the free throw line.

There really wasn't much competition with the number 50, even though there've been 106 players ever to wear the number. David Robinson was simply the best player to don the jersey.

In his career, he averaged 21.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.4 steals, 3 blocks, on 51.8 percent shooting, 73.6 percent from the free throw line, has a Rookie of the Year Award, Defensive Player of the Year Award, an MVP award, and was a member of two championship teams.

The second best player to wear the jersey number 50 is Zach Randolph, who hashad an interesting career, to say the least. He has averaged 17.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, .8 steals, on 46.9 percent shooting, 77.1 percent from the free throw line, and has a Most Improved Player Award.

Corey Maggette is the only other player worth mentioning. He's a good scorer one-on-one, but isn't much of a passer or defender. In his career he's averaged 16.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, .8 steals, on 45.6 percent shooting, 32.1 percent from three, and 82.1 percent from the free throw line.

Not many players have worn the jersey number 51 and, if they did play for a while, these players were mostly role players, so no big numbers from any of them.

The best player to wear the number 51 is Lawrence Funderburke, who, in his career, averaged 6.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, .6 assists, on 50.6 percent shooting, and 67.5 percent from the free throw line.

There was a solid list of players who wore the number 52. Buck Williams edged out Jamaal Wilkes and Happy Hairston for the best player to wear the jersey because Williams wore the jersey for all 17 seasons. Williams' numbers look lower then they actually were because, towards the end of his career, he became a role player.

In his career, he averaged 12.8 points, 10 rebounds, 1.3 assists, .8 blocks, .8 steals, on 54.9 percent shooting, 66.4 percent from the free throw line, and has a Rookie of the Year Award.

Wilkes played nine seasons wearing the number 52, thoughhe started his career with the number 41. His best season came in 1980-1981 when he averaged 22.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.5 steals, on 52.6 percent shooting, 75.8 percent from the free throw line, and was a member of two championship teams.

Like Wilkes, Hairston did not start out his career wearing the number 52. For Hairston, his best season came in 1969-1970, when he averaged 20.6 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2 assists, on 49 percent shooting, 80.3 percent from the free throw line, and a member of one championship team.

There really wasn't much of a question of who was going to be the best player to wear the number 53. Artis Gilmore, who should be in the Hall of Fame, was one of the strongest centers in NBA history.

He started his career in the ABA and then the NBA. Combined, he averaged 18.8 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.4 blocks, on 58.2 percent shooting, 69.8 percent from the free throw line, has an ABA Rookie of the Year Award, an ABA MVP award, an ABA Playoffs MVP award, and was a member of an ABA championship team.

The second best player to wear the number 53 is Darryl Dawkins. In his career, he averaged 12 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.4 blocks, on 57.2 percent shooting, and 68.5 percent from the free throw line.

Mark Eaton is the third best player to wear the number 53, although not a scorer by any means. Eaton changed the game by his ability to block shots.

In his career, he averagedsix points, 7.9 rebounds, an assist, 3.5 blocks, on 45.8 percent shooting, 64.9 percent from the free throw line, and has two Defensive Player of the Year Awards.

There were quite a few players who have worn the number 54, most of whom were role players, including the guy who's the best to wear 54 and that is Horace Grant.

Grant averaged 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, a steal, a block, on 50.9 percent shooting, 69.2 percent from the free throw line, and was a member of four championship teams.

Only two players were worth mentioning who wore the jersey number 55. Kiki Vandweghe and Dikembe Mutombo. The edge went to Mutombo because, even though he wasn't an elite scorer, he was an elite defensive player.

In Mutomobo's 18-year career, he averaged 9.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, an assist, 2.8 blocks, on 51.8 percent shooting, 68.4 percent from the free throw line, and won the Defensive Player of the Year Award four times.

Vandeweghe, the second best player to wear the number 55, averaged 19.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, on 52.5 percent shooting, and 87.2 percent from the free throw line.

Francisco Elson played the first three seasons of his career with the Denver Nuggets and wore the number 56. He has switched from that number.

His best season came in 2005-2006, when he averaged 4.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, .7 assists, .8 steals, on 53.2 percent shooting, and 66.2 percent from the free throw line.

Walt Kirk played only in 14 games wearing the number 60 jersey. In that same season, another player on the same team wore the number 60. Kirk, though, had better numbers in his 14 games.

He averaged 4.9 points, .9 assists, 36.1 percent shooting, and 75.8 percent from the free throw line.

Note: Could not find picture of Kirk.

There were only two players to ever wear the jersey number 61. Dave Piontek was the best player and both players only wore it for a season. He did not start out his career wearing the number 61, as he wore 5, 12, 25, and 33 as well.

Piontek averaged 2.7 points, 2 rebounds, .5 assists, on 38 percent shooting, and 62.5 percent from the free throw line.

Only two players have worn the number 62 in their careers and Scott Pollard played three times the seasons as the only other player. Pollard did not start his career or end his caree,r wearing the number 62.

His best season came in 2005-2006, when he averaged 3.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, .5 assists, .8 steals, on 45.5 percent shooting, and 76.3 percent from the free throw line.

Only one player has worn the number 65 and that was for one season by George Ratkovicz in his rookie year. After that, he switched to a different number.

In his only season, he averaged 8.6 points, 2 assists, on 36.9 percent shooting, and 60.6 percent from the free throw line.

Note: No picture of Price Brookfield and, since the only recent player that has worn 66 was Scott Pollard, he's in as just a picture of 66, nothing else.

Brookfield, like the two others to wear number 66, only wore the number for the season. He averaged 8.2 points, 2.5 assists, on 27.6 percent shooting, and 72 percent from the free throw line.

Moe Becker played only one season, but played for three different teams and had three different numbers five, six, and 67. He appeared in 20 games for the Detroit Falcons, hence the picture of the Falcon, since there's no picture of Becker.

He averaged 2.1 points, .8 assists, on 17.8 percent shooting, and 30 percent from the free throw line.

Another Detroit Falcon who made the list and, again, no picture. Milt Schoon played two years, but in his first season wore the number 68. He averaged 2.9 points, .3 assists, on 21.6 percent shooting, and 42.5 percent from the free throw line.

There have been five other players to wear the number 70 and even, though Dennis Rodman barely played, he still is the best player in the group.

In Rodman's lone season in Dallas wearing the number 70, he averaged 2.8 points, 14.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, on 38.7 percent shooting, and 71.4 percent from the free throw line.

Willie Naulls wore the number 71 for part of a season after going to the San Francisco Warriors. He had the best season of any player wearing the number 71.

He averaged 11 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, on 42 percent shooting, and 79.3 percent from the free throw line.

Jason Kapono is the only player to wear the number 72 in NBA history. So far, he's only worn it for one year. He averaged 5.7 points, 1.2 rebounds, .7 assists, on 41.9 percent shooting, 36.8 percent from three, and 60 percent from the free throw line.

Dennis Rodman played one season with the Los Angeles Lakers and chose the number 73, which had never been worn before. He didn't play in many games for the Lakers, either.

He averaged 2.1 points, 11.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, on 34.8 percent shooting, and 43.6 percent from the free throw line.

Much like most of the numbers now, the number 76 was never worn before. It's understandable why Bradley chose, it seeing how he's 7'6", but it didn't bring him much luck.

His best season wearing the 76 jersey came in 1994-1995 when he averaged 9.5 points, 8 rebounds, 3.3 blocks, on 45.5 percent shooting, and 63.8 percent from the free throw line.

Vladimir Radmanovic is not the only player to wear the number 77, but he certainly is the best and longest tenured of them all. Seattle is where he made a name for himself. He then went on to wear the number seven and 10 before reverting back to 77, when he came to the Golden State Warriors.

His best season wearing the number 77 came in 2003-2004 when he averaged 12 points, 5.3 rebounds,1.8 assists, a steal, on 42.5 percent shooting, 37.1 percent from three, and 74.8 percent from the free throw line.

Chris Webber is the only NBA player ever to wear the number 84, which seems to be a recurring theme with the numbers asthey got up. Webber only wore the number for one season with Detroit.

He averaged 11.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3 assists, on 48.9 percent shooting, and 63.6 percent from the free throw line.

Nicolas Batum is the second player ever to wear the number 88. He's played two seasons so far with the Portland Trail Blazers. He's an excellent defender, can shoot the three, and has made Rudy Fernandez expendable, since he's better than Fernandez.

In his career so far, he's averaged 6.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, an assist, .6 steals, on 47.7 percent shooting, 38.7 percent from three, and 82.5 percent from the free throw line.

Clyde Lovellette is the only player to wear the number 89, whichhe did in his rookie year, then changed his number. He averaged 8.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, .7 assists, on 42.3 percent shooting, and 69.5 percent from the free throw line.

Drew Gooden is the only player in NBA history to wear the number 90. He's worn it for the majority of his career, but he's also worn zero and nine.

His best season wearing the number 90 jersey came in 2004-2005, when he averaged 14.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, .9 blocks, on 49.2 percent shooting, and 81 percent from the free throw line.

Dennis Rodman makes the list again, thanks to not having much competition or being the only one to wear the number. Only one other player has worn 91 and that was Ron Artest for a year. Rodman wore it for three years, while with the Bulls.

His best season came in 1996-1997, when he averaged 5.7 points, 16.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, on 44.8 percent shooting, and 56.8 percent from the free throw line. Also, he was a member of three championship teams while wearing the 91.

Deshawn Stevenson was traded to the Mavericks last year, where he tried to shake off his bad year by switching to the number 92. That didn't really help him, but he did become the only player to wear the number.

He averaged 2 points, 1.1 rebounds, .5 assists, on 28.3 percent shooting, 32 percent from three, and 70 percent from the free throw line.

Ron Artest did make the list for wearing the number 93. He is the second player ever to wear the jersey and he wore it three times longer than the only other player, P.J. Brown.

His best season wearing the number 93 came in 2007-2008, when he averaged 20.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.3 steals, on 45.3 percent shooting, 38 percent form three, and 71.9 percent from the free throw line.

Ron Artest makes the list again because, when he joined the Rockets, he chose the number 96. There was one other player to wear the number 96, but he didn't even come close to the season that Artest had in his only year in Houston.

He averaged 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.5 steals, on 40.1 percent shooting, 39.9 percent from three, and 74.8 percent from the free throw line.

Another Falcon player with no picture. Chet Aubuchon played just one season and averaged 2.2 points, .7 assists, on 25.3 percent shooting, and 54.3 percent from the free throw line.

George Mikan revolutionized the center position with his hook shot. He was the NBA's first dominant post player and his numbers reflect that. Not many players have chosen to wear the number 99. Mikan, though, is by far the greatest player to wear the number.

He wore it throughout his relatively brief career, during whichhe played just seven seasons. In his career, he averaged 23.1 points, 13.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, on 40.4 percent shooting, and 78.2 percent from the free throw line.