UCLA Retired Numbers: A History of Basketball Excellence
The tradition of retiring jersey numbers is one of the highest honors a collegiate athletic program can bestow. At UCLA, this process has evolved from a strict set of criteria to a broader recognition of greatness, reflecting the program's storied history and the legendary figures who have worn the blue and gold.
The Philosophy of John Wooden
For many years, the legendary coach John Wooden opposed the practice of retiring numbers. Wooden prioritized team play over individual accolades, arguing that every player who wore a specific number contributed to the team's success. Despite his reservations, Wooden acknowledged the extraordinary talents of two specific players.
In 1990, during the 25th anniversary of Pauley Pavilion, UCLA retired the numbers of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (known as Lew Alcindor during his college years) and Bill Walton. These two were the first to be honored, as they met the original requirement of being three-time consensus All-Americans.
Expanding the Criteria for Honor
As the program grew, UCLA expanded the eligibility requirements for retiring numbers to ensure other legendary contributors were recognized. In 1996, the university opened the honor to players who were consensus national players of the year. This change led to the retirement of jerseys for Walt Hazzard (No. 42), Sidney Wicks (No. 35), Marques Johnson (No. 54), and Ed O'Bannon (No. 31).
The criteria shifted again in 2004 to include players inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame, a prestigious honor recognizing the greatest contributors to the sport of basketball. This allowed Gail Goodrich's No. 25 to be retired. Later, in 2013, the university retired the numbers of Jamaal Wilkes (No. 52), Reggie Miller (No. 31), and Don Barksdale (No. 11) following their 2012 Hall of Fame inductions. Notably, No. 31 became the first number to be retired twice, first for O'Bannon and then for Miller.
Legacy and Exceptions
The impact of these players is evident in the team's trophy case: eight of the honored players were members of NCAA championship teams, and seven were coached by John Wooden. While retired numbers are typically off-limits, some players granted exceptions. Walt Hazzard allowed Kevin Love to wear No. 42 from 2007 to 2008, and Marques Johnson's No. 54 was worn by his sons, Kris and Josiah.
In 2014, UCLA took a university-wide step by retiring No. 42 across all sports to honor Jackie Robinson. Robinson was a four-sport star at UCLA and a pioneer who broke the baseball color line in Major League Baseball. Although Robinson wore No. 18 while playing basketball for the Bruins, the university chose No. 42 to mirror the iconic number he wore with the Brooklyn Dodgers. This did not conflict with the basketball program, as Walt Hazzard had already retired No. 42—a number Hazzard specifically requested to honor his childhood idol, Robinson.
Key Facts
- First Retired Numbers: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton (1990).
- Double Retirement: No. 31 is the only number retired twice (Ed O'Bannon and Reggie Miller).
- Wooden's Influence: Seven of the retired number recipients were coached by John Wooden.
- University-Wide Honor: No. 42 is retired across all UCLA sports for Jackie Robinson.
- Hall of Fame Link: Since 2004, Naismith Hall of Fame induction has been a qualifying criterion.
| Player | Number | Primary Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Don Barksdale | 11 | Naismith Hall of Fame |
| Reggie Miller | 31 | Naismith Hall of Fame |
| Ed O'Bannon | 31 | National Player of the Year |
| Sidney Wicks | 35 | National Player of the Year |
| Walt Hazzard | 42 | National Player of the Year |
| Gail Goodrich | 25 | Naismith Hall of Fame |
| Marques Johnson | 54 | National Player of the Year |
| Jamaal Wilkes | 52 | Naismith Hall of Fame |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | - | Three-time Consensus All-American |
| Bill Walton | - | Three-time Consensus All-American |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did John Wooden initially oppose retiring numbers?
Wooden believed in the importance of the team over the individual and felt that retiring a number ignored the contributions of all the other players who had worn that same number in the past.
Which number has been retired more than once at UCLA?
Number 31 has been retired twice, once for Ed O'Bannon and once for Reggie Miller.
Why is No. 42 retired for Jackie Robinson if he wore No. 18 in basketball?
UCLA retired No. 42 across all sports to honor the iconic number Robinson wore during his professional baseball career with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
What are the current requirements for a UCLA basketball player to have their number retired?
Eligibility has expanded over time to include three-time consensus All-Americans, consensus national players of the year, and inductees into the Naismith Hall of Fame.
Did any players wear retired numbers after they were honored?
Yes; Kevin Love wore No. 42 with the permission of Walt Hazzard, and Kris and Josiah Johnson wore No. 54, which was retired for their father, Marques Johnson.