Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is getting ready for his first appearance in the NBA Finals. It was a banner season for the 26-year-old as he was also named MVP for the first time. The 6-foot-6 guard has averaged more than 30 points for three-straight seasons and made the All-NBA First Team each of those years as well. Throughout his seven-year career, he has worn #2 on the back of his jersey. Along with SGA, here are some of the best NBA players ever to wear jersey No.2 during their career.
(Players who only wore the number for a brief time such as Rick Barry or Kevin Garnett are not included.)
For best players who wore No.0, click here: #0
For best players who wore No.00, click here: #00
The Best NBA Players To Wear Jersey No.2
Active Players
The first overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft , Cunningham has only worn #2 for the Detroit Pistons in his four NBA seasons. In 2024-25, he was named to his first All-Star team and earned Third Team All-NBA honors. Just 23 years old, the 6-foot-6 guard also was tied for seventh in MVP voting.
Another top overall selection (2011 NBA Draft), Irving wore #2 on his jersey during his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers (as well as 20 games for the Dallas Mavericks in 2023). In his six years with the Cavaliers, he won Rookie of the Year and hit the biggest shot in Game 7 of the NBA Finals to help Cleveland to their first championship in 2016.
Also selected in the 2011 NBA Draft, Leonard has only wore #2 in his NBA career. He’s a two-time champion (won Finals MVP both times), two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and six-time All-NBA member. Leonard has finished top-10 in MVP voting five times.
Hall of Famers
Inducted in 1997, English wore #2 during his entire tenure with the Denver Nuggets which is where he was easily his most impactful, particularly as a scorer. He was named to eight straight All-Star teams with Denver and won a scoring crown in 1982-83. English’s 25,613 career points are the 23rd-most in league history.
Malone wore #2 while with the Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, and his final season with the San Antonio Spurs. In 1982-83, his first season with Philadelphia, he won MVP and an NBA title. Known as ‘The Chairman of the Boards’, Malone led the league in rebounding three times with the Sixers.
Inducted in 2014, Richmond had #2 on his jersey playing for the Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards. He made six-straight All-Star teams with Sacramento from 1993 until 1998. In the last five of those years, Richmond was either second or third team All-NBA.
Other Notable Players
With 20,407 career points, there is a possibility Johnson finds his way into the Basketball Hall of Fame. He wore #2 in 12 of his 18 NBA seasons. That includes his time with the Hawks, whom he made six All-Star teams with.
Van Lier played 10 NBA seasons, seven with the Chicago Bulls with whom he wore #2. The six-foot-1 guard made six All-Defensive teams with Chicago as well as three All-Star appearances. Prior to his time with the Bulls, he led the league in assists in 1970-71.
Yet another first overall pick, Wall was taken by the Wizards in 2010. He wore #2 in his nine seasons with Washington. He was an All-Star all five years from 2014 until 2018. Wall is the Wizards franchise all-time leader in assists (5,282) and steals (976).
Honorable Mentions
Photo credit: © Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
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