Lakers jersey history No. 34/No. 89 — Clyde Lovellette

Through the 2024-25 season, the Los Angeles Lakers have had a total of 506 players suit up for them, going back to their days in Minneapolis. Some were forgettable, some were serviceable, some were good and a select few were flat-out legendary. During the Lakers' 80th season of existence (they were founded back in 1946 as the Detroit Gems in the National Basketball League), LeBron Wire is taking a look at each player who has worn their jersey, whether it has been a purple and gold one or the ones they donned back in the Midwest during their early years.

Clyde Lovellette averaged 24. 5 points and 10. 2 rebounds a game during his three years on the varsity squad at the University of Kansas.

As a senior in the 1951-52 season, he led the nation in scoring with an average of 28. 4 points a game while driving the Jayhawks to the NCAA championship, and that same year, he helped the United States win a gold medal in basketball during the Summer Olympics. The Lakers made Lovellette the No.

10 pick in the 1952 NBA Draft. He made his NBA debut during the 1953-54 season, and the 6-foot-9 forward helped the Lakers win their fifth championship in six seasons that year. With the legendary George Mikan retiring following that championship run, Lovellette expanded his game and became a primary scoring threat.