The Oklahoma City Thunder (and the Seattle Supersonics before them) have 51 jersey numbers worn by the players who have suited up for the franchise since its founding at the start of the 1967-68 season. To commemorate the players who wore those numbers, Thunder Wire is covering the entire history of jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team.
And while those Supersonics jerseys may not remain part of the franchise history should a new team be established in Seattle as was the case with the return of the Charlotte Hornets, they are part of the Thunder’s history today.
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For this article, we continue with the 42nd jersey number in the series, jersey No. 44, with 15 players in total having donned the jersey in the history of the franchise.
Mar 3, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson (13) drives to the basket past Oklahoma City Thunder forward Justin Jackson (44) during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The 15th of those players who did so in the Brooklyn Nets era, forward alum Justin Jackson. After ending his college career at UNC, Jackson was picked up with the 15th overall selection of the 2017 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Houston, Texas native would play parts of the first two seasons of his pro career with the Sacramento Kings after a draft night deal. He also played for the Dallas Mavericks before he was dealt to OKC in 2020. His stay with the team would span 33 games before he was cut.
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During his time suiting up for the Thunder, Jackson wore only jersey No. 44 and put up 7.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game.
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
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This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Thunder jersey history No. 44 – Justin Jackson (2020-21)