Spencer Dinwiddie has worn Kobe Bryant’s #8 for the entirety of his NBA career. He grew up in the Los Angeles area and idolized the Lakers’ guard, so it was natural for him to take on his favorite player’s original number. Now today, following Kobe’s tragic death, Dinwiddie has honored him another way by changing his number from #8 to #26.
Everything in life evolves. #26
— Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) January 28, 2020
Dinwiddie said that fans guessed the most obvious meaning behind #26, most likely Kobe’s later #24 added to his daughter Gigi’s #2. He also said it was to honor his own son Elijah, whose birthday is on the 20th + Spencer’s birthday on the 6th.
We often search for meaning in numbers. And yes you guys have caught a lot of the obvious reasons...
— Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) January 28, 2020
There’s one more tho, a person that I often speak about but hold private and most close to my heart.
Elijah + Spencer = 20 + 6
Honor your ppl, love you son https://t.co/pVT630bk0F
Spencer’s move is a larger part of NBA players attempting to informally retire Kobe’s #8 and #24 league-wide, according to Shams Carania of the Athletic.
Honor your people.
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) January 28, 2020
Number 26, Spencer Dinwiddie. pic.twitter.com/Y3oZREw602