Through the 2024-25 season, the Los Angeles Lakers have had a total of 506 players suit up for them, going back to their days in Minneapolis. Some were forgettable, some were serviceable, some were good and a select few were flat-out legendary.
During the Lakers’ 80th season of existence (they were founded back in 1946 as the Detroit Gems in the National Basketball League), LeBron Wire is taking a look at each player who has worn their jersey, whether it has been a purple and gold one or the ones they donned back in the Midwest during their early years.
Before he came to the Lakers in 2000, Greg Foster was known to Lakers fans as the backup center for the Utah Jazz who was once violently slapped by Shaquille O’Neal. He then spent the 2000-01 season as O’Neal’s backup in Los Angeles, and that year, he averaged two points and 1.8 rebounds in 7.3 minutes a game while helping L.A. win its second straight NBA championship.
Foster played two more seasons before retiring with career averages of 3.9 points and 2.6 rebounds in 12.2 minutes a game over 13 seasons in the league. He later spent eight seasons as an assistant coach in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers jersey history No. 40 — Greg Foster
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
