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.
As the Lakers embark on their 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.
For about three decades, George Karl was one of the better-known coaches in the NBA. In 1983, he had a son, Coby, who played at Boise State University and then joined the Lakers during the 2007-08 season as an undrafted rookie.
The 6-foot-5 wing appeared in 17 games with the Lakers that season and had a total of 30 points, 14 rebounds, nine assists, four steals and two blocks in 71 minutes. The younger Karl spent the following season with Joventut Badalona of the Liga ACB before returning to the NBA to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors during the 2009-10 campaign.
He then spent several more years playing basketball in Spain and Italy before his career ended. Since 2015, he has served as a coach in the G League and an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers, and he’s currently an assistant coach at Boise State University.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers jersey history No. 11 — Coby Karl
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
