The best player to wear each jersey number for the San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs have seen over 400 players walk through the doors of their organization since their humble beginnings in the ABA. Some have cemented legacies as fabled figures in franchise lore, and others have become faceless names lost to time. No matter where they land on the spectrum, all these talented hoopers has handpicked a unique number to wear across their jersey.

These numbers are the calling cards that help fans pick out their favorite players from the crowd, and it is often the first thing people remember when racking their brains to sift through all the figures who have suited up in NBA history. The Silver and Black have a long list of standouts, but which superstars and quintessential role players have been the best to brandish each unique numeral?

The 50 and Above Club

#90: Drew Gooden

Gooden carved out a successful career in the NBA, but he spent his best seasons alongside LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Though the 6-foot-10 forward only played 19 games in the 2-1-0, he makes this list because no one else has ever worn this number for the Silver and Black.

#77: Joffrey Lauvergne

There were slim pickings here, and this battle between role players ultimately came down to who had more games under their belt with the Spurs. Lauvergne was an afterthought during his stint with San Antonio, but he made it through a full season, which is more than DeMarre Carroll can say.

#55: Samaki Walker

Walker was a so-so second-stringer for the Spurs in the two years following their first championship, and there wasn't much competition for this spot. The former ninth overall pick of the 1996 NBA Draft averaged 5.2 points and 3.9 rebounds in 132 games and eight starts for San Antonio.

#54: Sandro Mamukelashvili

Without much franchise history behind this number, Mamukelashvili makes the first appearance from an active player still on the roster. The Georgian center flashed intriguing ball skills for a seven-footer, and he will have a chance to cement himself in San Antonio's long-term plans this season.

#53: Artis Gilmore

Despite joining the Spurs past his prime during the 1982 offseason, Gilmore still posted stellar nightly numbers during his five-year tenure in San Antonio. The 11-time All-Star failed to find playoff success with the Silver and Black, but he continued building an infallible Hall of Fame resume.

#52: Mike Smrek

Smrek never left a lasting impression with San Antonio, and he was a spot-starter for one of the worst teams in franchise history. So, how did he make this list? The Canadian center was slightly better than an unfortunate cluster of forgettable role players with worse per-game statistics.

#50: David Robinson

Was there ever a doubt someone other than David Robinson would claim this number? The Admiral is one of the iconic faces etched into the metaphorical Mount Rushmore of this storied organization. He helped the Spurs capture their first league title while establishing a winning culture.

The Best of the 40s

#45: Chuck Person

Person was one of the forefathers of the three-ball, and he brought his sharpshooting to San Antonio during the 1994 offseason. Though DeJuan Blair gave him a run for his money here, it was impossible to ignore his impact coming off the bench for a Western Conference contender.

#44: George Gervin

Gervin is a no-brainer at this spot as the original face of the franchise. He carried this expansion team to perennial playoff appearances and turned San Antonio into a basketball haven. The Iceman has the individual accolades to compliment his undeniably buttery-smooth scoring repertoire.

#43: Frank Brickowski

No one would blame you for not recognizing the name Frank Brickowski. The bruising center was part of the lackluster generational overlap between the George Gervin and David Robinson era, eventually returning to the bench for the Spurs before ending his career as a journeyman.

#42: Davis Bertans

The Latvian Laser made a name for himself as one of the most versatile shooters in the NBA over his first three seasons in San Antonio. Bertans made 308 threes with the Spurs, nailing long-range shots sprinting in transition, navigating around screens, and relocating to the corners.

#41: Will Perdue

San Antonio didn't give us much to choose from here, and Will Perdue emerged victorious. The center was a situational starter and rebounding workhorse with the second unit. Spending four seasons with the Spurs makes him a reasonable choice ahead of Trey Lyles and Gorgui Dieng.

#40 Willie Anderson

Anderson had a promising start to his Spurs career, averaging 18.6 points, 5.1 boards, and 4.1 assists as a rookie. His production slipped each subsequent season, but none of the other candidates played as many games with San Antonio or matched his scoring or playmaking output.

The Dirty 30s

#36: Shawnelle Scott

You can stop racking your brain to remember this player. Shawnelle Scott signed a one-year deal with the Spurs in 2000, but he only played in 27 games before the organization cut him loose the following summer. He wins by default since no one else has donned this number for San Antonio.

#35: Larry Kenon

Larry Kenon was the All-Star sidekick for George Gervin from 1975 to 1980. The highflying forward is perhaps one of the most underrated players in franchise history. He stuffed the stat sheet to the tune of 20.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists per game during his time with the Silver and Black.

#34: Mike Mitchell

Mike Mitchell narrowly knocked off Terry Cummings for a coveted place on this all-time list. While the Spurs were no longer a postseason powerhouse once the one-time All-Star arrived in San Antonio, it is tough to point the finger at him for their disappointing shortcomings in the mid-80s.

#33: Boris Diaw

From his lovable off-court persona to his ridiculously creative dimes, there isn't a single soul in the 2-1-0 who doesn't love Boris Diaw. The French forward was an x-factor for the Spurs during their run to the 2014 NBA Finals, and he amplified their beautiful brand of championship basketball.

#32: Sean Elliott

This one should come as no surprise since the Spurs retired his number and raised his jersey into the rafters of the Frost Bank Center almost two decades ago. Sean Elliott was a two-time All-Star for San Antonio and an instrumental contributor to their first league championship in 1999.

#31: Malik Rose

The Spurs relied on Malik Rose as a fixture of their second unit for eight seasons, and the undersized power forward is one of the most recognizable reserves of the 2000s. His stifling defense on revered frontcourt scorers and tireless motors on the boards made him a fan favorite in San Antonio.

#30: Terry Porter

A lack of noteworthy names makes Terry Porter the de facto honoree at this spot on our countdown. The former All-Star signed with the Spurs one season too late to celebrate their 1999 championship, and he retired right before San Antonio secured the second title of their burgeoning dynasty.

The Roaring 20s

#28: Charles Bassey

Bassey only suited up in 35 games for the Spurs last season before a fractured patellar tendon ended his first go-round in San Antonio. Believe it or not, the Nigerian center has more points, rebounds, and blocks than any other player who has worn this uncommon number with the Silver and Black.

#27: Caldwell Jones

Our only choices here were Nicolas Laprovittola and Caldwell Jones, and the latter earned this crown for playing more games with the Spurs than his challenger. The former All-Star spent his final season as a backup in San Antonio, capping a successful career that stretched from 1973 to 1990.

#26: Dominick Barlow

You might be shocked to see Barlow crack this list, but he is the sole player to sport this number while playing for the Spurs. The teenage forward showcased enticing two-way potential as a rookie, and his sophomore season should be fascinating as he fights for a consistent role in the rotation.

#25: Jakob Poeltl

Though a handful of household names like Robert Horry, Doc Rivers, and Steve Kerr have chosen this number since the Spurs merged into the NBA in 1976, no one was more impactful than Poeltl. He saw his fair share of losses, but his defense and screen setting offered San Antonio structure.

#24: Devin Vassell

Vassell is entering his fourth season with the Silver and Black, but he has already established himself as a core member of their rebuild. The 23-year-old swingman was on the brink of a breakout last year, and he will have an excellent opportunity to contend for the Most Improved Player Award.

#23: Zach Collins

Deciding on a suitable placeholder here was surprisingly straightforward despite this being the most popular number in franchise history. Zach Collins has missed 73 games over his first two seasons on the Spurs, but he has been a serviceable starter and fantastic stretch five when fully healthy.

#22: Tiago Splitter

Spurs fans will never forget the pristine short-roll passing and suffocating post defense Tiago Splitter provided San Antonio during their 2014 NBA Championship. The Brazilian big man earned his spot on this historic directory for his willingness to do all the little things that impact winning.

#21: Tim Duncan

Duncan is the best player to wear the Silver and Black regardless of the number on the front and back of their jersey. Landing the Big Fundamental set everything in motion for San Antonio, and he became the bedrock of their dynasty from the second he walked through the doors of this organization.

#20: Manu Ginobili

Did anyone expect to see another name here? Ginobili is one of two players in basketball history with an Olympic gold medal, a EuroLeague title, and an NBA championship. The Argentine All-Star formed a daunting trio with Duncan and Parker and he was the best sixth man the game has ever seen.

Ten and Teens

#19: Luka Samanic

Samanic and the Spurs had an unceremonious split less than two years after the front office selected him in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft, so why is he on this list? San Antonio had a striking talent shortage at this number, and he had better numbers than Alize Johnson and Blake Ahearn.

#18: Marco Belinelli

Marco might be one of the most divisive players to call San Antonio home. Fans adored him for all the sharpshooting performances during his first go-round with the team, but that support faded once his production fell off a cliff in his second stint with the Spurs. Regardless, Belinelli is a champion.

#17: Brent Barry

Was there a better partner in crime to help Manu Ginobili direct the second unit than Brent Barry? The slender swingman handled pick-and-roll duties and spread the floor for the Spurs from 2004 to 2008, securing a couple of championship rings while becoming an instant fan-favorite role player.

#16: Pau Gasol

Gasol had an underwhelming tenure with the Spurs that ended with the organization waiving him from their roster less than halfway through his three-year extension. Though the Hall of Famer was past his prime in San Antonio, his numbers were enough to stave off Aron Baynes and Francisco Elson.

#15: Matt Bonner

We gave Vinny Del Negro genuine consideration here, and he had some solid seasons in San Antonio, but Matt Bonner takes the cake. The Red Mamba spent ten years of his career with the Spurs, and the long-distance marksman holds a special place in the hearts of every fan in the 2-1-0.

#14: Danny Green

Fan favorites have dominated this segment of our countdown, and Green is another familiar face who made a massive mark on the Spurs during the twilight of their empire. He was a perennial All-Defense candidate and an instrumental piece of the starting rotation for the 2014 title team.

#13: James Silas

James Silas, George Gervin, and Larry Kenon were staples for the Spurs as the franchise transitioned from the ABA to the NBA, but a debilitating meniscus tear left the electric point guard on the sidelines for two seasons. His resolve and improbable comeback make him the clear choice here.

#12: Bruce Bowen

Taking Bruce Bowen over LaMarcus Aldridge was an effortless decision. Though the latter earned All-Star nominations in San Antonio, the former had a direct hand in helping the Spurs secure three titles with his nauseating defense on generational scorers like Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki.

#11: Vernon Maxwell

Most basketball fans remember Vernon Maxwell for winning back-to-back with the Houston Rockets, but he also played 200 games for the San Antonio Spurs. Most of those matchups resulted in losses, and all that losing made it possible for Gregg Popovich and the front office to draft Tim Duncan.

#10: DeMar DeRozan

Jeremy Sochan might have a chance to unseat DeMar DeRozan one day, but this spot belongs to one of the craftiest midrange scorers in league history. The six-time All-Star blossomed into a remarkable mentor and magnificent distributor during his three seasons suiting up for the Spurs.

The Single Digits

#9: Tony Parker

How could we honor anyone in this spot other than Tony Parker? The speedy Frenchman entered this organization an unpolished teenager and transformed himself into a perennial All-Star candidate. San Antonio might have fallen flat in the middle of their dynasty without his offensive firepower.

#8: Patty Mills

Mills is the perfect embodiment of "Spurs Culture." He was a fantastic teammate on and off the court, and his selfless attitude and fearless approach made him a beloved role player. Though the Australian point guard was never a star, he carried the torch as a leader when San Antonio needed it most.

#7: Fabricio Oberto

The Spurs cycled through numerous centers after David Robinson called it quits. But Fabricio Oberto was a consistent presence for San Antonio during his four-season stint with the ball club. Despite the modest nightly numbers, how can you argue against a starter on a championship contender?

#6: Avery Johnson

While Avery Johnson was often the shortest player on the court, he found success in San Antonio as a setup man for David Robinson and Tim Duncan. The Spurs hosted a jersey retirement ceremony for The Little General in 2007, and no one comes close to pushing him out of the picture here.

#5: Dejounte Murray

Dejounte Murray made immense developmental strides to become the latest homegrown All-Star for the Spurs. The lanky point guard is the all-time franchise leader in triple-doubles, and trading him last summer put San Antonio in a position to reset and win the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes.

#4: Derrick White

Are there any Spurs fans that feel anything but unconditional love for Derrick White? He took charges with his chest, connected with open teammates, and defended superstars on a nightly basis. Though San Antonio sent him to the Celtics for draft assets, we hope he finds his way back to the 2-1-0.

#3: Keldon Johnson

Names like George Hill and Stephen Jackson might have given Keldon Johnson a run for his money a few years ago, but the 23-year-old slasher left them in the dust after leading the Spurs in scoring this season. Keep your eye on how the arrival of Wembanyama affects his role and efficiency.

#2: Kawhi Leonard

Before anyone gets up in arms about this selection, can we look at this from a less combative point of view? There is no denying Leonard left the Silver and Black in shambles. With that said, his NBA Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Year Awards place him at the top of the totem pole.

#1: Rod Strickland

Younger Spurs fans might be unfamiliar with Rod Strickland, but his statistics with San Antonio speak for themself. The flashy floor general averaged 13.9 points and 8.2 assists across three seasons as a co-star for David Robinson. The team moved on from him after consecutive first-round exits.

#00: Johnny Moore

Moore dropped dimes as a starter for the Spurs from 1981 to 1987, and while he never earned an All-Star appearance, he set the tone with his unselfish style. He was teammates with David Robinson and George Gervin, and the Texas native served as an instrumental bridge between two exciting eras.