Lakers jersey history No. 34 — Ray Tolbert

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.

Following a four-year stint at Indiana University, Ray Tolbert was taken with the No. 18 pick in the 1981 NBA Draft by the New Jersey Nets. In his first three seasons in the NBA, the 6-foot-9 forward played for three different teams, and he spent the next three years playing in Italy and the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). The New York Knicks signed him just prior to the 1987-88 season, and after he was waived in early December, the Lakers picked him up.

Tolbert appeared in 14 games that season with the Lakers and averaged three points and 1.4 rebounds in 5.9 minutes a game. He played his final season in the NBA the following campaign with the Atlanta Hawks before wrapping up his playing career overseas and with the Fort Wayne Fury of the CBA.

He ended up averaging 3.6 points and 2.3 rebounds in 10.7 minutes a game across five NBA seasons.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers jersey history No. 34 — Ray Tolbert