HOUSTON — Though budding star Jalen Green wore No. 4 throughout his pre-NBA playing days, even earning the “JG4” nickname, that number was not available when the rookie guard joined the Rockets last offseason. At the time, it belonged to veteran forward Danuel House Jr., who cited personal family reasons in wanting to keep the number.
Even prized rookies like Green, who was drafted at No. 2 overall in the 2021 first round, typically show deference to veterans in such situations.
House was released by the Rockets in December, but that’s not among the limited circumstances in which the NBA would allow a player to change numbers during the season. So, Green finished out his rookie season wearing the No. 0 jersey, including a stretch of 30+ points in six of his last seven games — and a career-high 41 in Sunday’s finale.
