Lakers to retire Michael Cooper’s jersey number
As news of the Lakers 2024-25 schedule drops, they also announced that Michael Cooper’s jersey will be retired. Cooper is the most recent Lakers inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Cooper’s number 21 will be hung in the rafters on a January 13th home game against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
Cooper joins Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, Pau Gasol, Elgin Baylor, Gail Goodrich, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, James Worthy, Jerry West, Jamaal Wilkes, and George Mikan in having their numbers retired in LA.
Legendary broadcaster Chick Hearn has his microphone retired in the rafters, and Bill Russell’s number is retired leaguewide.
5x Champion. Defensive specialist. Showtime Coooooop.
1/13/25 – We raise Michael Cooper’s jersey into the rafters amongst the Laker greats. pic.twitter.com/KbSwza9pHu
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 15, 2024
Cooper spent his entire career with the Lakers during the Showtime era. The shooting guard was one of the best defenders of all time. Coop made eight All-Defensive Teams and won the Defensive Player of the Year award in the 1986-87 season.
He was a key contributor, often forgotten as he played with stars like Johnson and Abdul-Jabbar. Cooper’s under-the-radar play was crucial for the Showtime Lakers.
Cooper won five titles with the franchise and deserves to have his jersey hung in the rafters with fellow Lakers legends.
