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New York Knicks: List of the franchise’s retired jersey numbers

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 6: Banners in honor of Dave DeBrusschere #22, Willis Reed #19, Earl Monroe #15, Dick McGuire #15, and Dick Barnett #12 of the New York Knicks - Retired Hall of Fame New York Knicks players photographed before the game against the Miami Heat on April 6, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 6: Banners in honor of Dave DeBrusschere #22, Willis Reed #19, Earl Monroe #15, Dick McGuire #15, and Dick Barnett #12 of the New York Knicks - Retired Hall of Fame New York Knicks players photographed before the game against the Miami Heat on April 6, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks have a short list of players whose jersey numbers hang it in the rafters at Madison Square Garden.

The New York Knicks have not won a championship in four decades, but their lineage of franchise-changing players consumed that time and the era in between. These players made the Knicks the landmark franchise they are now.

The top players were immortalized in franchise history with a jersey number retirement. It is the ultimate team honor, as these numbers hang in the rafters of Madison Square Garden.

Who does this include from New York’s long line of teams? Let’s take a look:

  • Walt Frazier, No. 10: Frazier was dynamic towards both of the Knicks championships. He remains a prominent figure as part of the MSG Networks broadcast team.
  • Earl Monroe and Dick McGuire, No. 15: Monroe and McGuire’s Knicks careers did not cross, but long after both players suited up, the organization retired their shared number.
  • Willis Reed, No. 19: No one will forget Reed, hobbling into the NBA Finals to contribute towards New York’s eventual title. His No. 19 is a permanent fixture at the Garden.
  • Dave DeBusschere, No. 22: DeBusschere played the latter half of his career with the Knicks, but also partook in the championship run.
  • Bill Bradley, No. 24: Bradley was another main part of New York’s title teams, playing his entire career in Manhattan.
  • Patrick Ewing, No. 33: The latest Knick to be honored, Ewing was the face of New York basketball from the late ’80s to the end of the ’90s. The closest to reach his status has been Carmelo Anthony.
  • Red Holzman, No. 613: No NBA player has worn a number in the triple digits, but Holzman’s 613 represent his win total as the head coach.

Next. 25 greatest players in NYK history. dark

Who will follow these players to the rafters? That may take time to develop, but as it stands, the past talent is represented well atop basketball’s most prestigious arena.

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