5 best Lakers player who sported #9 jersey before Bronny James picked it up for Purple & Gold

Incoming rookie Bronny James will be sporting jersey number 9 for the Los Angeles Lakers as he teams up with his father, LeBron James. After he was selected 55th overall in the NBA draft, Bronny also revealed that his jersey would read “James Jr.” on the back, distinguishing him from his father.

Bronny wore number 0 in high school as well as number 6, which in the NBA, was retired league-wide in honor of the late Bill Russell. Now, Bronny will adopt the Lakers’ No. 9 jersey, which was donned by some of the best players in franchise history.

Here are some of the best Lakers who have worn #9 before Bronny picked it up.

5 best Lakers player who sported #9 jersey before Bronny James

#5. Chucky Atkins

NBA: Preseason-Phoenix Suns at Sacramento Kings (Image credit: Imagn)

Many forget how good Chucky Atkins was in LA. Part of the trade that ended Gary Payton’s career with the Lakers, Atkins registered career-highs with the team after averaging 14 points per game.

He played and started in all of the Lakers’ 82 matchups in the 2004-2005 season, averaging 35 minutes per game. He was one of the most reliable guards the Lakers had in the mid-2000s.

#4. Byron Russell

Byron Russell is famous for being the one who defended Michael Jordan in his final shot with the Chicago Bulls, which gave him his sixth and final NBA championship during Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals.

However, Russell also had notable moments with the Lakers, bringing toughness to the team in the 2003-2004 season. He averaged four points, two rebounds and one assist in Lakers No. 9 jersey over 72 games.

#3. Matt Barnes

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Los Angeles Clippers (Image credit: Imagn)

Matt Barnes had played for many teams and while his legacy as a journeyman was not made with the Lakers, his time in LA was memorable because of Kobe Bryant, who personally recruited him to join the team. Barnes brought sporadic offense and relentless defense to the Purple and Gold franchise for two seasons from 2010 to 2012.

Becoming one of Bryant’s most recognizable rivals and teammates, Barnes contributed 7.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists with the Lakers.

#2. Rajon Rondo

NBA: Player Headshots 2021 (Image credit: Imagn)

Initially signed to mentor the young Lakers in 2018, Rajon Rondo was a vital piece in the Lakers’ last NBA championship run in 2020. He played off the bench and was the veteran mind that equipped the Lakers, led by Bronny James' father LeBron, in their playoff run in the pandemic-ravaged season.

Rondo averaged 7.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and six assists with the Lakers, mostly in a bench role supporting James.

#1. Nick Van Exel

NBA: Summer League-Atlanta Hawks at San Antonio Spurs (Image credit: Imagn)

Drafted 37th overall by the Lakers in 1993, Nick Van Exel was perceived to be the centerpiece of the Lakers in the 1990s. Transitioning from the Showtime Lakers era to the Kobe-Shaq era, Van Exel brought flashy plays and stability to the Lakers from 1993 to 1998.

While he was never part of any Lakers title team, Van Exel made a mark in LA, averaging 14.9 points and 7.3 assists across five seasons.