LeBron James will wear No. 23 for the Philadelphia 76ers. The team confirmed the number as part of its official announcement of his signing, and it's the number he's worn for the vast majority of his 24-year career including his last two seasons with the Lakers before joining Philadelphia.

Why No. 23? A Look at LeBron's Jersey Number History

James first wore 23 as a sophomore at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, taking the number as a direct nod to Michael Jordan. It carried through his entire first stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers, until he joined the Miami Heat in 2010 where he switched to No. 6, since the Heat had already retired 23 themselves in honour of Jordan, even though Jordan never played for the franchise.

When James returned to Cleveland in 2014, 23 came back with him, and he kept it through his first three seasons with the Lakers after signing in 2018. He switched to No. 6 again for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, then moved back to 23 in 2023 following the NBA's league-wide retirement of No. 6 in honour of Bill Russell. He's worn 23 ever since and now carries it into Philadelphia.

Who's Worn No. 23 for the 76ers Before?

The number has a long history in Philadelphia, though it's never been retired by the franchise. Jimmy Butler is probably the most recognisable recent name to wear it, suiting up in 23 during the 2018-19 season before being traded. Other past Sixers to wear the number include Lou Williams, Jason Richardson, Steve Mix, and Joe Bryant father of the late Kobe Bryant. Most recently, Eric Gordon and Tyrese Martin both wore 23 for Philadelphia last season before the number became available again. Notably, no 76er wore the number during the franchise's 1983 championship run.

Since 23 was never retired, James joining the roster in that number doesn't conflict with any of the Sixers' retired numbers, which include Julius Erving's No. 6, Allen Iverson's No. 3, and Wilt Chamberlain's No. 13.

Jersey Numbers Are Part of Fan Culture Too

A moment like this is exactly why jersey numbers matter so much to fans James' 23 broke Fanatics' all-time record for jersey sales within 48 hours of a player joining a new team in any sport, ahead of even Shohei Ohtani's move to the Dodgers. That same instinct wanting a specific number that means something shows up constantly at the grassroots level too, whether it's a junior player wearing their favourite pro's number or a club captain keeping the same digits every season. Through C2C's Design Your Own tool, that kind of personal detail isn't an afterthought: names and numbers are built into the design process from the start, with a 3D preview so a team can see exactly how it'll look before the kit goes into production.

Frequently Asked Questions

What jersey number does LeBron James wear for the 76ers? LeBron James wears No. 23 for the Philadelphia 76ers, the same number he wore for most of his career, including his final two seasons with the Lakers.

Why did LeBron James wear No. 6 earlier in his career? James switched to No. 6 with the Miami Heat in 2010 because the team had already retired No. 23 in honour of Michael Jordan. He later wore 6 again with the Lakers from 2021-2023, before switching back to 23.

Has the 76ers ever retired the No. 23 jersey? No. Unlike numbers such as Julius Erving's No. 6 or Allen Iverson's No. 3, the 76ers have never retired No. 23, which is why James was free to wear it.

Who else has worn No. 23 for the 76ers? Notable past Sixers to wear the number include Jimmy Butler, Lou Williams, Jason Richardson, and Joe Bryant, Kobe Bryant's father.

Can I get a custom jersey with my own chosen number? Yes. Custom uniform platforms let you build a jersey around whatever number matters to you, with full control over colours, logos, and player details.

Build Your Own Jersey Moment

Whether it's an NBA-inspired look or a number that means something to your own team, C2C's Design Your Own Uniform tool puts the same level of control in your hands. Browse the NBA-Inspired Basketball Uniforms collection for a look at what's possible.