Lakers jersey history No. 34 — Pétur Guðmundsson
A look at Pétur Guðmundsson's time with the Lakers.
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.
Pétur Guðmundsson was one of the NBA's first foreign-born players. The 7-foot-2 center grew up in Reykjavík, Iceland, and he moved to the Seattle area at the age of 16 before spending three years at the University of Washington. Although he averaged just 6.
7 points and 4. 3 rebounds a game while with the Huskies, the Portland Trail Blazers saw enough potential in him to take him in the third round of the 1981 NBA Draft. He averaged 3.
2 points and 2. 7 rebounds in 12. 4 minutes a game as a rookie, and he spent the next three years playing in Iceland, England and in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA).