Piatkowski was joined by his family in Lincoln for the retirement of his collegiate number earlier this year. Scott Bruhn/Nebraska Media Relations Office

What does a jersey number really mean to a pro athlete? To some, it’s a tribute to a favorite player. To others, it’s a story of personal significance. For Chicago’s Eric Piatkowski, well, it was a matter of practicality.

“Heading into my junior year of high school, they had the twenties, thirties, forties and fifties for us to choose from,” Piatkowski explains. “The fifties were the largest size uniform and that was the only one that would fit me. So I ended up with 52.”

To put things into perspective, Piatkowski was a freshman in high school the same year that Bulls teammate Luol Deng was born: 1985. Thus, the uniforms in those days—the pre-Jordan era, if you will—were characterized by short shorts and tight tops.

For Piatkowski, who was 6-foot-6 as a high school junior, it was a matter of wearing whatever jersey he could get on his body.

The story could have ended there, but it didn’t for the man now known as “The Polish Rifle.” Piatkowski signed a letter of intent with the University of Nebraska, so he was off to Lincoln.

“When I got to college, they basically said that I could have whatever number I wanted,” the 12-year veteran recalls. “Everyone wanted to be 23 for Jordan or 33 for Bird, but I was always a leader, not a follower.”

BEHIND THE NUMBERS: THE PLAYERS

Behind The Numbers Gilbert Arenas 0, Wizards Marcus Banks 3, Timberwolves Mike Bibby 10, Kings Andrew Bogut 6, Bucks Kobe Bryant 8, Lakers Jarron Collins 31, Jazz Tony Delk 00, Pistons Melvin Ely 2, Bobcats Pau Gasol 16, Grizzlies Manu Ginobli 20, Spurs Drew Gooden 90, Cavaliers Grant Hill 33, Magic Royal Ivey 36, Hawks Linton Johnson 43, Hornets Dikembe Mutombo 55, Rockets Eric Piatkowski 52, Bulls Paul Pierce 34, Celtics Shavlik Randolph 42, Sixers Earl Watson 25, Sonics

“I take a lot of pride in my number,” he says. “It’s been my number for a long time and I’m fortunate to have been in the league so darn long that I don’t think any guy could take it away from me.”

Recently, Piatkowski realized a moment that many athletes can only dream about when his number was retired by his alma mater. On February 18, 2006, he became just the third player in Nebraska men’s basketball history to have his jersey retired.

“It was awesome,” Piatkowski says of the ceremony. “I took it as a great honor—my numbers were good there, but it’s not just what you do on the court. It’s the type of person you are off the court and your character that the universities take into consideration when they look at honoring someone.”

Piatkowski adds, “If they’re going to put your name, number and picture up on the wall for eternity, you’ve got to earn it.”

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By Adam Fluck