Brooklyn Nets jersey history No. 54 - Howard Porter (1977-78)

The Brooklyn Nets have 52 jersey numbers worn by over 600 different players over the course of their history since the franchise was founded in 1967 as a charter member of the American Basketball Association (ABA), when the team was known as the "New Jersey Americans".

Since then, that league has been absorbed by the NBA, with the team that would later become the New York Nets and New Jersey Nets before settling on the name by which they are known today, bringing their rich player and jersey history with them to the league of today.

To commemorate the players who played for the Nets over the decades wearing those 52 different jersey numbers, Nets Wire is covering the entire history of the franchise's jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 03: A detail of Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets jersey against the Chicago Bulls in the first half of the NBA In-Season Tournament at the United Center on November 03, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

And for today's article, we will continue with the first of four people to wear the No. 54 jersey, forward alum Howard Porter. After ending his college career at Villanova, Porter was picked up with the 32nd overall selection of the 1972 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls.

The Stuart, Florida native played the first three seasons of his pro career with Chicago. He also played for the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons before he was dealt to the (then) New York (now, Brooklyn) Nets in 1977 for the final season of his NBA career.

During his time suiting up for the Nets, Porter wore only jersey No. 54 and put up 12.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.

All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets jersey history No. 54 - Howard Porter (1977-78)