Boston Celtics starting point guard Kemba Walker is considering a uniform number change in the wake of Kobe Bryant’s passing.
Many NBA players who wear the numbers 8 and 24 (both were worn by Bryant and retired by his Los Angeles Lakers) have already made a move to unofficially “retire” the jersey in their franchise — and the Dallas Mavericks have done so formally.
The UConn product spoke to reporters in Miami while in town to play the Heat, and revealed he has had similar thoughts, though with perhaps a different perspective.
“I’m considering it, but I’m not sure yet,” Walker explained. “I definitely have tons of respect for Kobe. But everybody mourns a little bit different. For me, I’m thinking I would love to honor him by wearing that number.”
“Kobe played hard each and every night and I would like to honor him by doing the same. I’m definitely thinking about it, but we’ll see,” the Bronx native added.
Across the league and in the wider world, purple-and-gold lit and 8-and-24-themed tributes have manifested in countless places as the world copes with the loss of the basketball icon.
Whatever Walker chooses, it will be the right way for him to pay his respects to a player that defined a generation.
