Lakers jersey history No. 33 — Hot Rod Hundley

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.

After the legendary George Mikan retired for good in 1956, the Lakers suffered through hard times. But they took an important first step toward being competitive again by acquiring the draft rights to Hot Rod Hundley, who had been taken with the No. 1 pick in the 1957 NBA Draft by the Cincinnati Royals. He had been an outstanding player at West Virginia University, where he put up 24.5 points and 10.6 rebounds in his three years on its varsity team.

Hundley, a flashy 6-foot-4 guard, spent all six of his seasons with the Lakers and averaged 8.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 22.2 minutes a game for his career. He made the All-Star team twice, and he helped the Lakers reach the NBA Finals in 1962 and 1963 during his final two seasons.

He later became a color commentator for multiple teams, including the Lakers. He then became the play-by-play man for the New Orleans/Utah Jazz, a stint he started in 1974 and ended in 2009.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers jersey history No. 33 — Hot Rod Hundley