Lakers jersey history No. 35 — Rudy LaRusso

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 legendary center George Mikan led the Lakers to five championships and then retired, the franchise eventually started to rebuild by drafting some new stars and mainstays. In 1958, it took Elgin Baylor with the No. 1 pick in the draft, and two years later, it selected Jerry West No. 2. In 1959, the Lakers chose another difference-maker by the name of Rudy LaRusso in the second round of the draft.

LaRusso, a rugged 6-foot-8 forward, had averaged 14.6 points and 15.5 rebounds a game during his three seasons at Dartmouth University. As a rookie in the NBA, he put up 13.7 points and 9.6 rebounds a game, and in his third season, he made his first of five All-Star teams while helping Los Angeles reach the NBA Finals.

He spent his first eight seasons with the Lakers before moving on to join the San Francisco Warriors for his final two years in the league. He retired with career averages of 15.6 points and 9.4 rebounds a game, and while with the Lakers, he registered 14.1 points and 9.6 rebounds a game.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers jersey history No. 35 — Rudy LaRusso