Who are the most famous number 7 basketball players? The best of all time

In the FIBA system, jersey numbers were once limited from 4 to 15, and number 7 was often assigned to shooting guards or players with strong driving ability. However, globally, this number does not carry as much symbolic meaning. basketscores.com lists the most famous number 7 basketball players of all time.

The 5 most famous number 7 basketball players of all time

This list compiles players who have worn the number 7 jersey during their careers.

5. Jermaine O'Neal

The number 7 was associated with Jermaine O'Neal during several important stages of his career, especially in his later years when he moved between teams. He first chose number 7 after leaving the Indiana Pacers to join the Toronto Raptors, where he was expected to form a strong frontcourt duo with Chris Bosh. However, recurring injuries limited him to just 41 games before he was traded to the Miami Heat.

At Miami, he continued wearing number 7 and showed relatively solid performances, helping the team reach the playoffs. Later, at the Boston Celtics, he again wore number 7 and took on the role of replacing Kendrick Perkins, but knee and wrist injuries once again reduced his impact on the court.

4. Brandon Roy

Brandon Roy wore the number 7 jersey throughout his peak years with the Portland Trail Blazers. Nicknamed “The Natural,” he was known for his intelligent, calm, and highly efficient playing style. Between 2008 and 2010, he was one of the best shooting guards in the league and was even praised by Kobe Bryant as one of the toughest opponents in the Western Conference. He earned three consecutive All-Star selections during that period.

However, injuries severely affected his career. After being forced to retire early due to knee problems, no player wore number 7 at Portland for a period as a sign of respect. Roy later attempted a comeback with the Minnesota Timberwolves, still wearing number 7, but after only five games, he had to retire permanently.

3. Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant has worn the number 7 jersey during several phases of his career, most notably with the Brooklyn Nets (2019-2023) and later with the Houston Rockets from 2025 onward. He once explained that switching to number 7 symbolized a “new chapter” in his life. Despite a turbulent period involving injuries and roster changes, Durant maintained elite scoring form and reinforced his reputation as one of the greatest scorers in basketball history.

After leaving the Phoenix Suns in a major transfer in 2025, Durant joined the Houston Rockets and chose to return to number 7 instead of his iconic number 35. Even at age 37, he continues to perform at a high level, consistently scoring over 25 points in games during April 2026 and playing a key role in guiding a young Rockets roster.

2. Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony wore the number 7 jersey after joining the New York Knicks from the Denver Nuggets in 2011, and he kept it throughout his seven-year spell in New York. During that time, he achieved many milestones, including his 62-point game at Madison Square Garden, the highest individual scoring performance in Knicks history at the venue.

He later continued wearing number 7 with teams such as the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and Los Angeles Lakers, although he never won an NBA championship. Despite that, his number 7 jersey remains one of the best-selling jerseys in NBA history. In 2025, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, and discussions continue about whether the Knicks should retire his number.

1. Pete Maravich

Pete Maravich stands as the most iconic number 7 player in NBA history. He wore this number after joining the New Orleans Jazz in 1974 and quickly became one of the league’s most exciting stars. While wearing number 7, he scored 68 points in a single game against the New York Knicks in 1977, an incredible achievement for a guard in an era without a three-point line.

Maravich is one of the few players to have his number retired by multiple teams, highlighting his lasting influence. The Utah Jazz retired his number 7 to honor his contributions when the franchise was still based in New Orleans. Additionally, the New Orleans Pelicans also retired his number to recognize his impact on basketball in the city, even though he never played for the modern franchise.

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