Some jersey numbers come with serious NBA basketball history, and No. 11 has quite a resume. Championship leaders, an MVP, shooting pioneers, and a foreign 7-foot-6 center with a soft touch all wore the iconic number 11 on their jersey.
There have been a lot of NBA players with number 11, but the best include Isiah Thomas, Elvin Hayes, Bob McAdoo, Kyrie Irving, Detlef Schrempf, and Klay Thompson. Actually, choosing just 11 players for this list means making some tough cuts!
Here are 11 of the best players ever to wear number eleven on their jersey in the NBA and WNBA.
1. Isiah Thomas: The Standard for No. 11
Isiah Thomas gets the top spot because his No. 11 resume has almost everything: two championships, 12 All-Star selections, and the 1990 NBA Finals MVP award. Detroit’s fearless point guard could run an offense beautifully, then take over the scoring when the Pistons needed him. His 25-point quarter on an injured ankle in the 1988 Finals remains a crazy example of his competitive streak.
Thomas also wore 11 at Indiana, where he won the 1981 NCAA championship. His choice reportedly honored Chicago player Sammy Puckett, whom he admired growing up. Detroit later retired the number. Wikipedia
Thought: Hey, Isiah Thomas even has 11 letters in his name! Maybe it was destiny.
3. Kyrie Irving: Wore Number Eleven for His Dad
Kyrie Irving’s handle can make an ordinary possession feel like someone changed the difficulty settings. His years in No. 11 with Boston, Brooklyn, and Dallas include All-NBA recognition, a 50/40/90 shooting season in 2020–21, and a trip to the 2024 NBA Finals. His 2016 Cleveland championship came in No. 2, so it doesn’t count toward this ranking.
The story behind 11 is especially personal: his father, Drederick Irving, wore it at Boston University, which retired the number. Kyrie also wore 11 in high school, then 1 at Duke, before returning to 11 in Boston. Source
2. Jalen Brunson: A Modern Number 11 NYC Champion
Jalen Brunson makes defenders uncomfortable without needing to be the tallest or fastest player on the court. His footwork, changes of pace, and ability to stop for a jumper make guarding him a long evening.
Wearing No. 11, he became the centerpiece of New York’s resurgence and earned 2026 NBA Finals MVP honors as the Knicks won their first championship since 1973. His jersey journey includes 1 at Villanova and 13 in Dallas before number 11 became his permanent Knicks identity. It’s now a number young fans wear around Madison Square Garden, and Brunson has said that connection matters to him.
Thought: Jalen’s number 11 jersey is one of the top-sellers at Fanatics, and you’ll definitely see his number retired and hanging at Madison Square Garden one day!
4. Elvin Hayes: A Powerhouse in the Paint
Elvin Hayes brought a dependable turnaround jumper, relentless rebounding, and the kind of durability coaches dream about. His years wearing No. 11 with the Bullets included the 1978 NBA championship, six All-NBA selections, and repeated trips to the All-Star Game. Paired with Wes Unseld, “The Big E” gave Washington a frontcourt that was awfully difficult to move out of the way.
There’s an important jersey distinction here: Hayes wore 44 at the University of Houston (Hey, 4 times 11 = 44!) and during parts of his Rockets career. Washington retired his number 11, while the Rockets retired his number 44. That’s a toal of like, five 11’s!
Thought: Like me, Elvin Hayes was born in November, the 11th month of the year. Coincidence?
5. Yao Ming: A Giant 11 With a Soft Touch
At 7-foot-6, Yao Ming was impossible to miss. What made him special, though, was the skill attached to that size: polished footwork, a reliable midrange jumper, and remarkably good free-throw shooting for such an enormous center. Wearing 11 throughout his Houston Rockets career, Yao earned eight All-Star selections and five All-NBA selections.
Injuries shortened his playing years, but his best seasons showed an elite NBA center. He also helped connect the league with a huge audience in China. Houston retired his jersey number 11 in 2017. Related: Drake Maye jersey at Fanatics.
“As much as I act like I want to forget it, I still wish for you at 11:11.” – Conan Gray, “Eleven Eleven” – Yeah, the Houston Rockets could definitely use prime Yao on their team today, so fans can relate to that lyric!
6. Klay Thompson: No. 11 With a Very Quick Release
When Klay Thompson got hot, the usual defensive advice of, “stay close, contest the shot, don’t lose your man,” could be challenging. Wearing No. 11 for Golden State, he won four championships, made five All-Star teams, and delivered unforgettable scoring bursts, including 37 points in a quarter and 14 three-pointers in a game. His movement without the ball and perimeter defense made him much more than a shooting specialist.
Did you know Golden State drafted Klay Thompson 11th overall in 2011? He wore 1 at Washington State, so maybe 11 was twice as good?
7. Bob McAdoo: The Number 11 MVP Who Could Shoot
Before stretching the floor became a standard job requirement for big men, Bob McAdoo was already showing how devastating a tall, skilled shooter could be. Wearing No. 11 for the Buffalo Braves, he won three consecutive scoring titles from 1974 through 1976 and the 1975 MVP award.
His MVP season included 34.5 points per game. Good luck defending that jumper. McAdoo later adapted to a supporting role with the Lakers, winning championships in 1982 and 1985 while again wearing 11. McAdoo combined the rare qualities of prolific scoring and the willingness to fit into a championship team.
8. Arvydas Sabonis: A Number 11 Center Who Saw the Whole Floor
Arvydas Sabonis could grab a rebound, spot a cutter, and deliver a pass that made you wonder whether the big man was actually a point guard. Wearing No. 11 throughout his Portland Trail Blazers career, the Lithuanian center combined clever passing, soft shooting touch, and formidable size.
He arrived in the NBA at age 30, with injuries already limiting his mobility, yet earned All-Rookie First Team honors and helped Portland reach the Western Conference Finals in 1999 and 2000. His NBA accomplishments earn him consideration here on their own, even before you get into his extraordinary international career.
9. Brook Lopez: The Big Man Who Reinvented Himself
Brook Lopez earns a spot as one of the best number elevens largely because he was able to reinvent himself and pivot to a new skillset. First came the Nets’ skilled interior scorer and 2013 All-Star. Then came “Splash Mountain,” the three-point-shooting, rim-protecting big man who helped Milwaukee win the 2021 NBA championship and earned two All-Defensive selections.
That reinvention took skill and a willingness to change how he played. Lopez wore 11 at Stanford and carried it through his NBA stops with the Nets, Lakers, Bucks, and Clippers. Few players have made the same jersey work across so many different roles.
10. Jamal Crawford: A Number 11 Who Could Shake Anybody
Jamal Crawford could make a defender stumble, recover, and then stumble again—all before taking his shot. His crossover, creative finishes, and willingness to launch difficult jumpers made him one of basketball’s most entertaining scorers.
Wearing No. 11, he won three Sixth Man of the Year awards: one with Atlanta in 2010 and two with the Clippers in 2014 and 2016. Crawford wore several numbers during his long career, but 11 became the jersey associated with his greatest success. He’s a fitting addition to this list because he proved that coming off the bench doesn’t mean playing a supporting role in the highlights.
11. Detlef Schrempf: The Number 11 Forward Who Did a Little of Everything
Detlef Schrempf was the player you appreciated more the longer you watched. At 6-foot-10, he could shoot, rebound, handle the ball, and find an open teammate, making him quite the crossover before versatile forwards became an NBA necessity.
Wearing No. 11 with Indiana and Seattle, he earned three All-Star selections, won back-to-back Sixth Man of the Year awards in 1991 and 1992, and helped the SuperSonics reach the 1996 NBA Finals. His number became a familiar sight alongside Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp during Seattle’s memorable ’90s run. Schrempf brought skill and flexibility to a jersey already rich in basketball history.
Other NBA & WNBA Players Who Wore #11
There are a lot of great basketball players who wore number 11, so eleven spots fill up quickly! These other NBA and WNBA players also belong in the conversation about basketball’s best number. 11 jerseys.
Other NBA players with number 11
- Bob Davies: Nicknamed the “Harrisburg Houdini,” this inventive No. 11 helped the Rochester Royals win the 1951 NBA championship and earned four All-Star selections with his dazzling ballhandling and playmaking.
- Mike Conley: Wore 11 during his long run with the Memphis Grizzlies and was born on the 11th of October.
- Paul Arizin: A jump-shot pioneer who wore No. 11 at Villanova and with the Philadelphia Warriors, “Pitchin’ Paul” earned 10 All-Star selections, two scoring titles, and the 1956 NBA championship.
- Harry Gallatin: Nicknamed “The Horse,” this tireless Knicks rebounder wore No. 11 while earning seven consecutive All-Star selections and helping New York reach three straight NBA Finals.
- Trae Young: Made No. 11 familiar to fans during his Atlanta Hawks career. Basketball-Reference.com
WNBA players who wore number 11
- Elena Delle Donne: The Chicago Sky and Washington Mystics star won WNBA MVP awards in 2015 and 2019 and a championship with Washington in 2019. WNBA
- Teresa Weatherspoon: The Liberty legend wore 11 and delivered her famous long-distance shot in the 1999 WNBA Finals. Source
- Natalie Achonwa: The Canadian forward wore 11 with the Indiana Fever and Minnesota Lynx. Like me, she was born on 11/22, which is three elevens!
What the Number 11 Represents
For basketball players, 11 can represent family, a college identity, an admired player, or just the number that spoke to them. There isn’t one shared meaning behind every No. 11 jersey. Kyrie’s tribute to his dad and Isiah’s college-to-NBA connection show how personal the choice can be. Maybe some of these players chose eleven because of symbolism?
• Number 11 in numerology
In numerology, 11 is commonly called a “master number,” associated with intuition, inspiration, sensitivity, and spiritual awareness. Some interpretations also connect it with cooperation through 1 + 1 = 2.
These are symbolic beliefs rather than scientific findings, and wearing 11 doesn’t reveal a player’s personality or predict success. Still, intuition and inspiration make a fitting theme for a jersey worn by so many creative basketball players. russellrowe.com
• Biblical significance of number 11
The clearest Biblical connection is the eleven disciples remaining after Judas’s departure. Matthew 28:16 describes those eleven going to Galilee to meet the risen Jesus. Bible Gateway
Some later Biblical numerology interpretations associate 11 with incompleteness, disorder, or transition, partly because it falls short of twelve. However, the Bible doesn’t establish a universal rule that 11 always carries those meanings. A jersey number, a numerology belief, and a Biblical reference can share the same digits without sharing the same significance.
Number 11 in the NBA
From Isiah Thomas running the show to Klay Thompson catching fire, the best NBA players with number 11 have given fans plenty to remember. Their styles couldn’t be more different, but each made those two digits his own. Whether you’re choosing a jersey or defending your favorite player’s place on this list, No. 11 gives you a surprisingly deep bench of basketball greats to choose from.
Did we miss any other great number 11 ballers? If so, let me know with a comment below.
FAQs About NBA Players With Number 11
Isiah Thomas is our pick for the best NBA player to wear number 11. He wore it throughout his Detroit Pistons career, winning two championships, earning 12 All-Star selections, and receiving the 1990 NBA Finals MVP award.
Kyrie Irving wears number 11 in tribute to his father, Drederick Irving, who wore it at Boston University. Kyrie also wore 11 in high school before using 1 at Duke and 2 with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
No. Klay Thompson wore number 1 at Washington State. He wore 11 with the Golden State Warriors, who selected him 11th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft, and switched to 31 with the Dallas Mavericks.
I’m a dad of four, including 3 kids and a Hungarian Vizsla who is my partner about 22 hours a day. I’m a Philly sports fan and enjoy writing about wellness, saving money, and personal finance. Thanks for reading!