Behind the Numbers: Gilbert Arenas


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
Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas
Mitchell Layton/NBAE/Getty Images
As a high-school player at Grant High School in Van Nuys, CA, a young Gilbert Arenas wore the number 25. But when he arrived at the University of Arizona in 2001, the rafters let him know that "25" was off limits.

“I walked into the arena and Steve Kerr’s number 25 jersey was hanging in the rafters,” recalled Arenas. “That’s when I found out that I was going to have to go with a new number.”

Ever the competitor, Arenas picked “0” as his new number, for no other reason than to prove his detractors wrong.

“Zero is the number of minutes people predicted I would play my freshman year at Arizona,” said Arenas, who played ended up playing 32.1 minutes per game in his first season as a Wildcat. “I decided to go with it because I love proving people wrong.”

The two-time All-Star guard is currently third in the NBA in minutes per game at 42.2 and is the league’s fourth leading scorer at 29.2 points per game.

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