When Jabari Smith Jr. recently announced plans to change to a No. 10 jersey — which he wore in college at Auburn, but was previously occupied by longtime Houston Rockets veteran Eric Gordon — the No. 1 jersey from Smith’s rookie season became vacant.
That jersey will now be filled by Amen Thompson, Houston’s newly drafted top rookie at No. 4 overall from the NBA’s 2023 first round. No. 1 is the jersey Thompson wore in the Overtime Elite league.
Beyond Smith last season, previous Rockets to wear the No. 1 jersey have included Buck Johnson (1987-92), Tracy McGrady (2005-09), Trevor Ariza (2010-18), and John Wall (2021).
Meanwhile, fellow 2023 first-round pick Cam Whitmore (No. 20 overall) is set to wear the No. 7 jersey with the Rockets. Whitmore had worn No. 22 at Villanova, but that jersey is retired with the Rockets to honor Hall of Fame legend Clyde Drexler.
Previous wearers of the No. 7 jersey have included Carl Herrera (1992-95), Kyle Lowry (2009-12), Jeremy Lin (2013-14), Carmelo Anthony (2019), and most recently, Victor Oladipo (2021).
The team announced the news on its social media pages.
Jersey numbers are here! pic.twitter.com/jMSWuL3NvW
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) June 26, 2023
