Has Anyone Worn 69 in the NBA? The Jersey Number That Never Made It

I remember the first time I heard someone ask, "Has anyone ever worn 69 in the NBA?" We were at a sports bar, a few beers deep, debating the most iconic jersey numbers in basketball history. Jordan’s 23, Kobe’s 8 and 24, LeBron’s 6 and 23—those were obvious. But then my friend Ryan, always the guy to throw a curveball, hit us with it:

"Why has no one ever rocked 69 in the NBA?"

We all paused. No one could name a single player who had worn it. We knew it was infamous, we knew it had a certain… reputation. But was it actually banned? Did anyone even try?

That night, I went down a rabbit hole of NBA history, and what I found was both hilarious and fascinating.

The Number 69: A No-Go in the NBA

First things first: No player in NBA history has ever worn the number 69 in a regular-season game. Not once. Not even for a single game.

It’s not that players haven’t tried—some have. But the league has an unwritten rule (or at least a strong preference) against the number. Unlike other leagues where 69 has popped up occasionally—like in the NHL (Andrew Desjardins) or the NFL (Jared Allen briefly in practice)—the NBA has never seen it on an official jersey.

And the most famous case? Dennis Rodman.

Dennis Rodman’s Attempt to Wear 69

If there was ever a player to push boundaries, it was Dennis Rodman. The guy was a walking controversy, from his wild hairstyles to his Vegas benders in the middle of the season. So, of course, when he signed with the Dallas Mavericks in 2000, he requested to wear 69.

Mark Cuban, the newly minted owner of the Mavs at the time, was totally on board. He even thought it was hilarious. But David Stern? Not so much.

The then-commissioner of the NBA flat-out rejected Rodman’s request. No official reason was ever publicly given, but it was pretty obvious—it was 69. The league wanted to avoid any kind of inappropriate connotation, and Stern, a no-nonsense commissioner, wasn’t having it.

Rodman ended up wearing 70 instead, and his short stint in Dallas lasted only 12 games before the Mavs cut him. Just another classic Rodman story.

Is 69 Actually Banned?

Technically? No.

There is no official rule in the NBA handbook banning 69. But the league has the final say on jersey numbers, and they’ve consistently discouraged players from wearing it.

The NBA typically prefers numbers between 00 and 99, with some restrictions based on jersey readability for referees. Numbers like 6, 9, 66, and 99 have all been worn before, but 69? Still untouched.

There’s a theory that if a player today requested it, the league might still shut it down, just like with Rodman. But hey, with the NBA embracing individuality more than ever, maybe some fearless rookie will test the waters one day.

Would a Player Wear 69 Today?

Imagine someone like Draymond Green or Patrick Beverley requesting 69 just to troll the league. It would be a media circus.

But realistically, most players probably wouldn’t bother. Jersey numbers often hold personal significance—tributes to childhood heroes, family members, or special moments. No one’s out here idolizing “the legacy of 69.”

Still, in a world where players wear "Social Justice" messages on their jerseys, and where Metta World Peace was once an official name, it’s not completely impossible that someone tries again.

Final Thoughts: The Greatest NBA Number That Never Was?

The fact that no one in NBA history has worn 69 almost makes it legendary in itself. It’s not about the talent of the player, the moments on the court, or the rings won—it’s about what could have been.

If anyone ever does wear it, they’ll instantly be in the record books—not for their skills, but simply for breaking the NBA’s weirdest, unofficial tradition.

So, next time you’re at a bar, debating jersey numbers, throw this one into the mix. Chances are, you’ll leave at least a few people wondering, "Why has no one ever worn 69?"

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