Anthony Davis revives Michael Jordan’s long unused No. 23, sparking controversy in Washington

Anthony Davis has once again found in the center of a controversy, this time following his recent move to the Washington Wizards just a year after his controversial exit from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Dallas Mavericks in early 2025, a deal that sent the Mavs star player Luka Doncic to the L.A. Lakers.


Now in Washington, Davis has opted to play wearing the jersey No. 23, a number left untouched by the franchise ever since Michael Jordan's retirement in 2003. This decision has quickly sparked controversy online, with fans divided over the symbolism of reviving a number that's so closely tied to an NBA icon.

Iconic No. 23 returns as Anthony Davis steps into Michael Jordan’s Washington legacy

Michael Jordan joined the Washington Wizards in 2001 during the third comeback of his legendary career after retiring from the Chicago Bulls. Over nearly 140 games with the Washington Wizards, where he averaged 21.2 points and 5.9 rebounds, according to ESPN.


Hailing from Chicago, a 10-time NBA All-Star, Anthony Davis has long admired Michael Jordan. Davis even wore jersey number 23 during his high school playing days, before entering the league with the New Orleans Pelicans as the first overall pick in the 2012 draft. According to multiple US media reports “The Brow” as he is commonly known, has once again chosen the No. 23 in Washington, a number the franchise has left unused ever since Jordan wore it during his Wizards tenure from 2001 to 2003.

Origin of No. 23: How a simple choice became Michael Jordan’s signature?

Michael Jordan was deeply shaped by the influence of his older brother Larry Jordan, who also played professional basketball and wore jersey No. 45. Watching his brother compete sparked Jordan's own ambition to follow his footsteps and pursue basketball, thus marking the beginning of one of the greatest careers in sports history.


“My brother chose 45 and I chose 23, which was half, rounding the figure. I stuck with 23 and it stayed with me the whole time.”


When it came to choosing his number, Jordan opted for No. 23 as a tribute to that bond. He truly believed that the number 23, roughly half of 45, would mean he's “half as good” as his brother, a motivation that drove him to create his legendary legacy.





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