Why do NBA players wear different numbers in the Olympics and other FIBA tournaments?

NBA players were permitted to play in the Olympics and other FIBA-sanctioned tournaments starting in 1992. Michael Jordan famously led the Dream Team to the Olympic medal. One of the things that stood out at the time was Jordan wearing No. 9 instead of his famous No. 23 jersey for the Chicago Bulls.

Charles Barkley wore No. 34 with the Philadelphia 76ers but donned the No. 14 for Team USA. It inspired Dirk Nowitzki to use No. 14 for Germany, but he wore No. 41 during his entire career with the Dallas Mavericks.

So, why do NBA players wear different numbers in the Olympics and other international competitions? It's because of an old FIBA rule where a team can only use the numbers 4 to 15 for all 12 players on the roster.

FIBA later upgraded their rules about jersey numbers in 2018. Players can now wear numbers 1 to 99, as well as 0 and 00. However, Team USA kept the tradition of wearing 4 to 15 and won't change it in the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Here are the designated jersey numbers for Team USA in the upcoming World Cup:

No. 4: Tyrese Haliburton
No. 5: Mikal Bridges
No. 6: Cam Johnson
No. 7: Brandon Ingram
No. 8: Paolo Banchero
No. 9: Bobby Portis
No. 10: Anthony Edwards
No. 11: Jalen Brunson
No. 12: Josh Hart
No. 13: Jaren Jackson Jr.
No. 14: Kessler Walker
No. 15: Austin Reaves

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In an interview with FIBA a few years ago, USA basketball spokesman Craig Miller explained why they're sticking with the old FIBA rules about jersey numbers.

"We like the idea of there being a legacy with the number," Miller said. "The 4-15 is tradition, and we can track who's worn them. A lot of famous players who have gone on to great careers started by wearing a number five or a 12 for example.

"It's part of what we try to teach our guys - who came before them and the tradition they have to carry on."

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Why were NBA players not allowed to participate in Olympics before 1992?

Before the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, professional basketball players were not allowed to participate in most FIBA-sanctioned tournaments. Only college players were able to represent the United States.

However, the use of "shamateurs" by the Soviet Union for many years prompted the Olympic committee to allow professionals in 1992. The Dream Team was formed, and the rest was history. Since the summer of that year, the Americans only failed to win the Olympic gold in 2004.

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