Numbers game: Stories behind the jersey numbers worn by the UNM Lobos

Dec. 27—Numbers mean a lot in college basketball.

There are the kind you put in front of a team's name when they're ranked, there are statistics and records, as well as things like Final Fours, Elite Eights and Sweet 16s that mean a lot to some fan bases.

And, then, of course, there are jersey numbers.

Players choose the numbers they wear for a wide variety of reasons, from trying to match favorite players growing up, to birthdays to "it was all they had to pick from."

Lobo basketball players are no different, so I sought to ask each of this year's University of New Mexico men's basketball players if there is any significance to the numbers they are wearing.

I've also included a relevant or interesting note for each jersey number (check out the note on No. 20 Deraje Agbaosi!) and, with full credit on research going to UNM Athletics' Director of Communications Steve Kirkland, we've included all the previous players who wore that jersey number since the 1963 season (hey, some records only go back so far).

That, luckily, serves as a good benchmark in the Lobos' program history as it is unofficially the start of what many, including the Journal, consider the modern era of Lobo basketball when Bob King was hired as head coach, quickly improving the program and taking it to another level or prominence in the community; and getting the Pit built by 1966.

Some Lobos have switched numbers in their time at UNM for a variety of reasons, some the NCAA didn't always allow and others just aren't very popular.

Until 1969, Lobos even wore two jersey numbers every season — an even numbered version for the home whites and the next sequential odd number for their road cherry red jerseys.

Former Lobos coach Paul Weir once had his players pen handwritten letters at the start of the season to some of the men who previously wore their jersey numbers to tell them how they planned to represent the jersey, something that would have been a pretty cool tradition, though I believe was just a one-time deal.

In any case, here are some of the stories behind the numbers you see on the court this season.

0 Jemarl Baker Jr.

Why he wears it: "I wore 0 my first year playing travel ball in the Under Armour circuit. My favorite number is 3, but last year I saw Sebastian had it, and I didn't even ask for it. Then he changed his number and now Tru has it. But I like to change it up. Every school I've played at I've had something different."

Note: We're combining "0" and "00" in this note, as the two have never overlapped. While it has been seldom used, and some programs never offered it, both "0" and "00" have been allowable in the NCAA for some time. At UNM, however, the most notable use of either was the "00" worn by Lobo legend Petie Gibson from 1969-71.

Who else wore "0" or "00"

KJ Jenkins (2022-23)Isaiah Marin (2021)Zane Martin (2020)J.J. N'Ganga (2015)A.J. Hardeman (2009-12)Aaron Johnson (2007)Bambale Osby (2005)Mark Walters (2003-04)Malcolm Battles (2001)Petie Gibson (1969-71)

1 Braden Appelhans

Why he wears it: "Why jersey No. 1? It was one of the only numbers available when I got here." (He wore No. 13 in the past).

Note: A number that has been worn only since the Mountain West Conference came about in the 1999-2000 season, No. 1 was worn by one of the program's four Mountain West Player of the Year winners, Darington Hobson, in his lone season a Lobo in 2010.

Who else wore "1"

Saquan Singleton (2022)Bayron Matos (2021)Corey Manigault (2019-20)Chris McNeal (2018)Aher Uguak (2017)Cullen Neal (2015-16)Cleveland Thomas (2013-14)Emmanuel Negedu (2011)Darington Hobson (2010)Kellen Walter (2004-06)Chad Bell (2002-03)

2 Donovan Dent

Why he wears it: "I've been No. 2 my whole life. My birthday is on the 2nd and I just feel like it's my lucky number."

Note: TWO Lobos in the Mountain West era have had TWO games of 10 or more assists and zero turnovers and both wore number 2: Dent (10/0 vs. New Mexico State on Dec. 2; 11/0 vs. Rice on Nov. 22) and Marlon Parmer (10/0 vs. Drexel on Dec. 30, 2000; 10/0 vs. Western Kentucky on Dec. 2, 2000).

Who else wore "2"

Safi Fino-A-Laself (2022)Saquan Singleton (2021)Vance Jackson (2019-20)Sam Logwood (2018)Jordan Goodman (2015)Chris Perez (2011-14)Jonathan Wills (2008-09)Troy DeVries (2004-05)Marlon Parmer (2001-02)

3 Tru Washington

Why he wears it: "My older nephew (Milwaukee Bucks guard Ty Ty Washington) started it and I just kind of followed him. Now my younger nephew got No. 3, too, so it's a family thing."

Note: Tru has quickly proven at UNM to be a ball hawk, swiping at least one steal in every college game he's played and has 19 through 12 games (1.58/game). THREE of UNM's top 12 on the all-time steals list also wore the number 3: Lamont Long (No. 5 all-time in steals), Darrell McGee (No. 9) and Hugh Greenwood (No. 12).

Who else wore "3"

Sebastian Forsling (2022-23)Keith McGee (2019-21)Antino Jackson (2018)Jordan Hunter (2016-17)Hugh Greenwood (2012-15)Curtis Dennis (2010-11)David Kanyinda (2007)Kris Collins (2005-06)Senque Carey (2002)Lamont Long (1997-2000)Cornelius Ausborne (1994-95)Darrell McGee (1987-90)Johnny Brown (1985-86)Nelson Franse (1983-84)

5 Jamal Mashburn Jr.

Why he wears it: "It's always had a deeper meaning to me. Spiritually, I always wrote as a kid '5' with a heart with every passage, which is on my neck (as a tattoo). And then my best friend had a car accident and he was wearing No. 5 at the time. Just to honor him is a part of it now, too, but it's just always had a deeper meaning for me."

Note: For whatever the reason, the No. 5 in Lobo basketball history has been associated with the scorers. Mashburn is one of FIVE players who wore No. 5 who are in the 1,000-point club in a Lobos uniform, including the No. 1 scorer in program history (Charles Smith, 1,993 points), the No. 6 scorer and 2003 NCAA scoring champion (Ruben Douglas 1,782 points and 28.0 per game in 2003), the No. 14 scorer (Dairese Gary, 1,458 points), Mashburn at No. 17 and No. 24 scorer (Mark Walters, though he only wore No. 5 his final two seasons at UNM for 813 of his 1,200 points at a Lobo).

Who else wore "5"

Rod Brown (2021)JaQuan Lyle (2020)Clay Patterson (2019)Joe Furstinger (2018)Jalen Harris (2017)Arthur Edwards (2014-15)Dominique Dunning (2012)Dairese Gary (2008-11)Mark Walters (2005-06)Collins Ferris (2004)Ruben Douglas (2001-03)John Robinson II (2000)Greg Davis (1998-99)Charles Smith (1994-97)

10 Jaelen House

Why he wears it: "I couldn't wear No. 2 when I was at ASU, and I wore that growing up and in high school, so I wore No. 10. And then I got this tattoo right here (pointing to his wrist) — that's Team Dime. My family has a lot of No. 10s."

House's uncle Mike Bibby wore 10 at Arizona and in the NBA; grandfather Henry Bibby wore it when playing with the San Diego Clippers; one of House's younger twin brothers wears 10 in high school; and two of Jaelen's high school teammates on a national-powerhouse team in Arizona went on to also wear 10 in college: Grand Canyon's Jovan Blacksher and former Boise State guard Marcus Shaver.

Note: There have been TEN players in Lobo history to score 40 or more points in a game, and three of those players wore the number 10: Kenny Page (three times, including the second-highest total in program history of 47 points vs. Illinois Tech on Dec. 21, 1979), Kendall Williams (his 46 points at No. 22 Colorado State on Feb. 23, 2013, included TEN made 3-pointers) and Jaelen House (28 of his career-high 42 points at Air Force on Feb. 5, 2022, came in the second half when he became the TENTH Lobo to break 40 points in a game).

Who else wore "10"

Makuach Maluach (2018-21)Kendall Williams (2011-14)Jamaal Smith (2007-08)Tim Lightfoot (1999-2002)Tom Starkey (1998)Damion Jenkins (1997)Steve Logan (1992-93)George Powdrill (1991)Stan Whisenant (1986)Niles Dockery (1983-85)Kenny Page (1980-81)Wil Smiley (1977-78)Ricky Williams (1975-76)Mike Stewart (1971-73)Rick Wright (1971)Leonard Lopez (1969)Dave Culver (1968*)Ron Nelson (1967*)Terry DeLaPorte (1966*)Bruce Shimala (1964*)

11 Quinton Webb

Why he wears it: "I'm not gonna lie, originally my number was 5. I used to go with Q5. But that's Mashburn's number. That's my guy. He's got it on his neck, so it means more to him. Second favorite number was 0, but KJ (Jenkins) had that last year, so I went with 11 because that's the number my older cousin wore."

Note: Lobo great Ron Nelson once wore 11 for a year, but his All-America season was in the No. 12. Some other really good Lobos wore 11, too, like Phil Abney, Kevin Henry and one of the all-timers, Kelvin Scarborough, who would have loved the defensive energy Webb plays with.

Who else wore "11"

Jeremiah Francis III (2021)JJ Caldwell (2020)Jachai Simmons (2018)Obij Aget (2014-17)Nate Garth (2009-10)Jeffrey Henfield (2007)Javin Tindall (2003-04)Kevin Henry (1998-2000)Kavossy Franklin (1996-97)Ike Williams (1991-93)Kelvin Scarborough (1984-87)Wallace Williams (1981)David Romero (1980)Phil Abney (1978-79)Dave Culver (1968*)Ron Nelson (1967*)Terry DeLaPorte (1966*)Bruce Shimala (1964*)

12 Isaac Mushila

Why he wears it: (After wearing 33 as a freshman, 22 as a sophomore, and 10 the past two seasons at Texas A&M Corpus Christi), "now I'm 12 because, well, in the Bible, Jacob had 12 kids. For me, I'm religious and it has a connection there. I believe 12 is a lucky number for me."

Note: While longtime Journal columnist Rick Wright was a student at UNM when a Lobo with his same name donned No. 12, I've been assured by my colleague they are not the same person. And while former Lobos coach Steve Alford donned No. 12 at Indiana, the number in Lobo lore probably most famously was worn by Ron Nelson in home games of his All-America 1967-68 season when he averaged 19.5 points per game.

Who else wore "12"

Daniel Headdings (2021)Devon Williams (2014-16)Ryan Ashcraft (2001-04)Rafael Berumen (2000)Marcos White (1998-99)Greg Brown (1993-94)Andre McGee (1990-92)Paul Lawson (1985-86)Phil Smith (1981-84)Derwin Williams (1980)Russell Saunders (1978-79)Dave Otero (1977)Rick Wright (1971-72)Ken Otteni (1969-70)Ron Nelson (1968*)Ray Dupree (1966-67*)Skip Kruzick (1964-65*)

15 Jadyn "JT" Toppin

Why he wears it: "My sophomore year of high school, I wasn't that good and that was the last jersey they had, so I had to take it. I've stuck with it ever since. I had worn 10 before that because that was my dad's number in football."

Note: Maybe this is a number for double-doubles, which Toppin has already shown through just a dozen games he's more than capable of getting. Carmelo Anthony wore No. 15 and had 22 double-doubles in his only college season at Syracuse. In the Mountain West, San Diego State great Kawhi Leonard donned No. 15 and had 40 career double doubles. At UNM, some No. 15 double-double machines through the years include Ron Sanford (20), J.R. Giddens (14) and more recently Carlton Bragg (8).

Who else wore "15"

Carlton Bragg (2020)Vladimir Pinchuk (2018-19)Will Brown (2009-10)J.R. Giddens (2007-08)Drew Gaulden (1999)Rodney Sanders (1994)Bill Harvey (1982)Keith Magee (1980)Mike Romero (1979)Steve Davis (1975-78)Wendall Taylor (1973-74)Ron Sanford (1967-68*)Keith Sponholtz (1964-66*)

20 Deraje Agbaosi

Why he wears it: "That was the jersey that was available. At my old school, I was No. 23. That was what I wore my whole life. Michael Jordan was my favorite player."

Note: Agbaosi says he wishes he wore No. 23, his favorite number because Michael Jordan was his favorite player. Well, here's some good news for the Eldorado High graduate. In the 2000-01 season, there was another Albuquerque-area high school product who was a walk-on for the Lobos who also wore No. 20. His name? Michael Jordan, from Hope Christian School.

Who else wore "20"

Safi Fino-A-Laself (2023)Clay Patterson (2020-22)Sam Logwood (2015-17)Sean Imadiyi (2007)Ryan Wall (2004-05)Senque Carey (2003)Beau Anderson (2002)Michael Jordan (2001)Marlow White (1994-95)Marvin McBurrows (1987-91)David Duggan (1980-81)Guy Berger (1980)Aparicio Curry (1979)Scott Daum (1977-78)Britt Wilson (1976)Bruce Hudson (1974-75)John Fifield (1972)Dave Seidler (1971)Steve Stephens (1970)Steve Shropshire (1967-69*)Jim Johnston (1964-66*)

21 Sebastian Forsling

Why he wears it: "I've kind of always been No. 3 (and was No. 3 the past two seasons at UNM before changing to 21 this season). Two plus one is three, so there's nothing really meaningful behind it. ... It's a new season, a new me. I needed to change something, and this is my 21st year on this earth."

Note: Some big shoes to fill for Forsling wearing that "21" at UNM, including former stars Tony Snell, Hunter Greene and Marvin "Automatic" Johnson.

Who else wore "21"

Jay Allen-Tovar (2022-23)Nolan Dorsey (2021)Xavier Adams (2015-17)Tony Snell (2011-13)Ryan Kersten (2006-07)Alfred Neale (2004-05)Laurence Metz (2003)Brian Smith (1999-01)Corey Jenkins (1993)Donnie Walker (1989-90)Hunter Greene (1985-88)Brad Evangelho (1982-83)Larry Belin (1979-80)Marvin Johnson (1977-78)Mike Patterson (1975-76)Bernard Hardin (1973-74)Steve Shropshire (1967-68*)Jim Johnston (1964-66*)

22 Mustapha Amzil

Why he wears it: "I wore it when I was playing under-16 (basketball) in Finland and we won the national championship. I've worn it ever since. ... It was kind of given to me, but after that, I was like, 'Yeah, that's a good number.'"

Note: The number worn by more Lobos than any other in the program's modern era (22) is also the one worn for only one season more than any other — both due to players changing the number or leaving the program. Three of the program's greatest wore the number in Clayton Shields (1995-98), Hunter Greene (for just one season in 1984 before changing to his more familiar 21) and Naismith Hall of Fame candidate Michael Cooper (1977-78).

Who else wore "22"

Valdir Manuel (2021)Drue Drinnon (2019)Connor Joy (2016)Merv Lindsay (2014)Monquel Pegues (2008)Jeff Hart (2003-06)John Robinson II (1999)Clayton Shields (1995-98)Scott Pritchett (1992-94)Sammie Liberatore (1990)Stan Whisenant (1987-88)Shawn Brooks (1985-86)Hunter Greene (1984)Calvin Blocker (1982-83)James Menning (1981)Don Sanchez (1980)Andre Logan (1979-80)Michael Cooper (1977-78)Dale Slaughter (1976)Pat King (1973-75)Chester Fuller (1972)John Johnson (1971)Howard Grimes (1967*)Paul Cleveland (1966*)Paul Buchanan (1965*)Phil Jordan (1964*)

23 Nelly Junior Joseph

Why he wears it: "I was 23 my freshman and sophomore year (at Iona), then I changed to 13 (last) year because of the house my Grandma (lives) at was No. 13. Here I am 23 again."

Note: The No. 23 might be the most popular number in basketball over the past several decades because of some guy named Michael Jordan (no, not the Hope Christian graduate who wore No. 20 for the Lobos), but it hasn't been worn by many of the greats in Lobo history. Joe Furstinger developed into a starter and Phillip McDonald scored more than 1,100 points at UNM, but the accolades for this jersey number beyond that are slim.

Who else wore "23"

Eloy Medina (2021)Emmanuel Kuac (2020)Joe Furstinger (2015-17)Nick Banyard (2013-14)Phillip McDonald (2009-12)Anthony Teague (2006)Lenny Miles (2004)Will Scott (1992)Kurt Miller (1988-91)Howard Grimes (1967*)Paul Cleveland (1966*)Paul Buchanan (1965*)Phil Jordan (1964*)

24 Shane Douma-Sanchez

Why he wears it: "My favorite number is 32, but it was unavailable at the beginning of the season, so I picked 24 because my favorite player is Kobe."

Note: While Kobe Bryant never wore a college jersey, another former NBA star with some close-to-the-program connections did: Jamal Mashburn Sr. wore No. 24 while playing for Rick Pitino at Kentucky from 1990 to 1993.

Who else wore "24"

Morris Udeze (2023)Taryn Todd (2022)Damien Jefferson (2017)Tim Myles (2014)Kory Alford (2013)Darren Prentice (2005-08)Jamaal Williams (2002-03)Nick Andrews (1999-2000)Eric Thomas (1991-95)Charlie Thomas (1988-89)Mike Winters (1984-87)Larry Tarrance (1981-82)Darryl Faulkner (1980)Gregg Polinsky (1978-79)Tommy Roberts (1971-73)John Somogyi (1970)Keith Griffith (1968-69*)Don Hoover (1965-67*)Don Wasson (1964*)

Others worth a note...

44: The only jersey retired in UNM Lobo basketball history is that of Toby Roybal, though the number has been worn by several players through the years.

Roybal, from Santa Fe where the gymnasium at Santa Fe High School is named after him, scored a then-record 45 points in a win over Montana in front of 2,500 fans in Carlisle Gym on Jan. 11, 1956, just four nights after scoring 37 points in a win over Wyoming in Laramie.

"Toby Roybal was the best home-grown athlete New Mexico has ever produced. Things haven't changed. He is the greatest player in New Mexico's basketball history, long before the 3-pointer and bonus free throws," said legendary Albuquerque High coach Jim Hulsman.

Roybal died at the age of 30 of cancer and is in the New Mexico Sports and UNM halls of fame.

22: Mustapha Amzil is the 27th player since Bob King took over the program in the 1960s to don the No. 22 — the most common number worn by a Lobo player in the past six decades.

There have been some noteable opposing 22s in the Pit, too, including Clyde Drexler with the Phi Slamma Jamma Houston Cougars in the famous 1983 NCAA Championship game and always a Pit crowd favorite, Danny Ainge of BYU from 1977-1981.

51: Only three Lobos in the modern era have donned the No. 51, and none of them could bear to do it full time.

Rob Loeffel wore that jersey number for three seasons (1987-89) after first wearing No. 50 earlier in his UNM career. The other two who wore 51? Larry Jones (1967-68) and Bob Zarr (1964-65) only did so as their alternate road jersey numbers back when the Lobos had an even number for their home whites and odd number for their road dark jerseys.

* Denotes one of two numbers worn by the player in a season when the program had players wear one number for home jerseys and another for road jerseys in the 1960s.