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Report: Multiple players informally retiring Kobe's jersey numbers

Noah Graham / National Basketball Association / Getty

In the wake of Kobe Bryant's death, numerous NBA players are honoring the Los Angeles Lakers legend by informally retiring both of his jersey numbers, The Athletic's Shams Charania reports.

Bryant wore No. 8 from 1996 to 2006, then switched to No. 24 from 2006 until his retirement in 2016.

Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie is the first player to publicly confirm he'll change his No. 8 jersey, and will wear No. 26 going forward:

The NBA granted Dinwiddie permission to make the swap despite the league's typical protocol of making players wait until a new season begins to make such changes, The New York Times' Marc Stein reports. The league will review players' requests to change from No. 8 or No. 24 to a new number on a case-by-case basis, Stein adds.

Orlando Magic swingman Terrence Ross quickly followed Dinwiddie's lead, changing from No. 8 to No. 31, the team announced. Ross previously wore the latter number until the start of the 2019-20 season.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Moe Harkless has also joined the duo, swapping his No. 8 jersey for No. 11, sources told Charania.

There are 21 players who have regularly worn No. 8 this season, while 12 players currently don the No. 24, according to Basketball-Reference.

Trae Young became the 22nd to wear No. 8 this season when he paid tribute to Bryant on Sunday.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was the first to honor one of Bryant's jerseys numbers after his passing, announcing that no player in his organization will ever wear No. 24 again.

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