If other NBA stars like Anthony Edwards (#5), Jayson Tatum (#0) and Tyrese Haliburton (#0) all have single-digit jersey numbers, Luka Doncic chose a relatively different jersey number: 77.
As the leader of the Dallas Mavericks, Doncic can choose absolutely any shirt number at the club (except number 41 of the legendary Dirk Nowitzki). However, the Slovenian defender is still loyal to the number 77 – a shirt number that seems to belong to a young player rather than a candidate for the MVP title.
So, why did Doncic choose shirt number 77? Let’s find out with Sporting News through the article below.
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Why did Luka Doncic choose shirt number 77?
Before joining the NBA, Doncic wore shirt number 7 after his idol Vassilis Spanoulis – the Greek basketball star. But when he joined the Mavericks, jersey number 7 belonged to Dwight Powell, so Doncic decided to add another number 7 and chose shirt number 77.
“Spanoulis has been my idol since I was little. That’s why I wear the number 7 shirt,” Doncic explained. Spanoulis played for the Houston Rockets in 2006/07, but the former player born in 1981 still left a strong mark in Europe. He spent most of his career playing for two top Greek basketball clubs – Olympiakos and Panathinaikos.
After many seasons, Doncic has gradually risen to become an indispensable pillar of Dallas. Powell – now 32 years old – is still an experienced warrior of the team, but he has lost his position to younger players like PJ Washington or Daniel Gafford.
So if Powell leaves, will Doncic take his preferred number 7 shirt? In fact, ‘Luka Magic’ has not yet made any move on this, moreover, the unique shirt number 77 has now become a brand associated with the name of the Slovenian star. Therefore, it is likely that Doncic will continue to be loyal to this special number 77.
SEE MORE: When was the last time the Dallas Mavericks made it to the NBA Finals? Mavericks’ achievements in the NBA Playoff
Which NBA players have worn jersey number 77?
Quite surprisingly, besides Doncic, there are still 17 other names who have played with number 77 in the NBA. However, perhaps Doncic is still the most famous star on this list.
| Player | Year of competition |
| Andrea Bargnani | 2013-15 |
| DeMarre Carroll | 2019-20 |
| Luka Doncic | 2018-present |
| Henri Drell | 2024-present |
| Ersan Ilyasova | 2018-19, 2020-21 |
| DeJon Jarreau | 2023-present |
| Joffrey Lauvergne | 2014-18 |
| John Mahnken | 1948-49 |
| Ghorghe Muresan | 1993-97, 1999-2000 |
| Johnny O’Bryant | 2015-16 |
| Sasha Pavlovic | 2010-11 |
| Vincent Poirier | 2019-20 |
| Vladimir Radmanovic | 2002-06, 2009-13 |
| Lamar Stevens | 2023-24 |
| Julian Stone | 2013-14 |
| Blackie Towery | 1948-49 |
| Jake Voskuhl | 2008-09 |
| Omer Yurtseven | 2022-present |
SEE MORE: Latest NBA Playoff 2024 schedule: Results updated continuously
