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 approach 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.
Isaiah Rider was the No. 5 pick in the 1993 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, and he entered the league as one of the game’s most naturally talented shooting guards. He spent two years at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and in his second year there, he averaged 29.1 points and 8.9 rebounds a game and was named the Big West Conference Player of the Year.
In the pros, however, Rider couldn’t quite get out of his own way. Although he put up good offensive numbers, he was involved in a number of off-the-court incidents, which gave him the reputation of a malcontent.
The Lakers took a flyer on him by signing him as a free agent during the summer of 2000. They had just won the NBA championship, and they were looking to strengthen a roster that was aging and ill-fitting outside of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. Rider had his moments during the 2000-01 season, and he averaged 7.6 points in 18 minutes a game.
But he was left off their playoff roster and had to watch as they went on to win a second straight world title. He did, however, receive a championship ring from the organization.
Rider played 10 games for the Denver Nuggets the following season before being waived early in the campaign. He would never play in the NBA again.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers jersey history No. 7 — Isaiah Rider
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
