LeBron James Finally Explains Why He Wears No. 23 Jersey

LeBron James is wearing the No. 23 jersey, and many people believe he does that in honor of Lou Hudson, Jeff Mullins or Calvin Murphy. Well, there is one person LeBron relates to.

It’s Michael Jordan. LeBron grew up in Akron, Ohio, and Michael Jordan was the role model that helped him gain inspiration. That’s how he got the No. 23 jersey.

“So when I started playing basketball, I was like: ‘Oh man, that two-three looks good. I wanna be able to fly like him,'” James said. “‘I wanna be able to shoot like him. I wanna be able to dunk on somebody like him. I wanna be able to stick out my tongue like him in the air and yell in somebody’s face like MJ.'”

When LeBron left the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010, he changed the number on his jersey.

“I just think what Michael Jordan has done for the game has to be recognized some way soon,” James, who has sported the number 23 since his sophomore year in high school, said in one of his interviews. “There would be no LeBron James, no Kobe Bryant, no Dwyane Wade if there wasn’t Michael Jordan first.

“He can’t get the logo, and if he can’t, something has to be done. I feel like no NBA player should wear 23. I’m starting a petition, and I’ve got to get everyone in the NBA to sign it. Now, if I’m not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it.”

No. 23 is retired in Cleveland.

“LeBron, you came home and delivered the ultimate goal,” team owner Dan Gilbert said in his statement after LeBron left the Cavs. “Nothing but appreciation and gratitude for everything you put into every moment you spent in a Cavaliers uniform. We look forward to the retirement of the famous #23 Cavs jersey one day down the line.”