Ja Morant Switches to Jersey Number 1 With Portland Trail Blazers

Ja Morant will wear jersey number 1 with the Portland Trail Blazers. ESPN reported that the two-time NBA All-Star is changing from No. 12, which he wore throughout his career at Crestwood High School in South Carolina, at Murray State and with the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Trail Blazers announced the switch on Thursday after acquiring Morant from Memphis in a trade on Monday. " Ten players in Portland franchise history have worn No. 1. Blake Wesley wore the number last season.

Anfernee Simons wore it from 2020 to 2025 before Portland traded him to the Boston Celtics in June 2025. Evan Turner wore it from 2017 to 2019. No Trail Blazer has worn No. 12 since LaMarcus Aldridge from 2007 to 2015.

ESPN reported that Aldridge, a former seven-time NBA All-Star, ranks third in points scored and fifth in games played in franchise history. He retired in 2021. Damian Lillard later called for the franchise to retire Aldridge's number.

Morant played 20 games last season and averaged 19.5 points per game, his lowest scoring average since the 2020-21 season, according to ESPN.