You see it in the rafters of the TD Garden. You see it on vintage green jerseys in every sports bar from Southie to San Francisco. That double-three. Most people don’t even need to see the name on the back to know exactly who it belongs to. But if you’ve ever wondered what number is Larry Bird, the answer is basically synonymous with the number 33, though there’s a little more to the story than just a lucky digit picked out of a hat.
Larry Bird didn’t just wear a number; he owned it. He wore 33 through high school, college, and every single one of his thirteen seasons with the Boston Celtics. It’s one of those rare cases where a player and a number become a single brand.
The Real Reason Behind Number 33
Why 33? Honestly, it wasn't some deep, mystical numerology thing. It started back in French Lick, Indiana. Larry grew up watching his older brother, Mark Bird, play for Springs Valley High School. Mark was a local star and wore 33. Young Larry basically just wanted to be like his big brother.
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Mark, in turn, had been inspired by Rick Mount—the legendary shooter from Purdue who was the first high school basketball player to ever grace the cover of Sports Illustrated. It’s funny how these things trickle down. A kid in Indiana sees a guy on a magazine, wears his number, his younger brother copies him, and suddenly that number is retired by the winningest franchise in NBA history.
From the Sycamores to the Garden
When Larry headed to Indiana State University, he stuck with the script. He led the Sycamores to the 1979 NCAA Championship game against Magic Johnson and Michigan State. That game basically changed basketball forever, and Larry was rocking the blue and white 33 the whole time.
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By the time the Celtics drafted him, the number was basically part of his identity. He wasn't going to change it. Interestingly, the Celtics have a lot of retired numbers. If you play for Boston, your options are usually limited because so many legends came before you. Luckily for Larry, 33 was available when he arrived in 1979. He made sure nobody else would ever wear it again for the C's.
The One Exception: The Dream Team
Here is the curveball. If you look at photos of the 1992 Olympic "Dream Team" in Barcelona, Larry isn't wearing 33. He’s wearing number 7.
Why? FIBA rules back then were super specific. Players had to wear numbers between 4 and 15. Since 33 wasn't an option, the team had to scramble. Magic Johnson took 15, Michael Jordan took 9, and Larry Legend ended up with 7. It looks a bit weird if you’re used to the Celtics green, but that gold medal doesn't care what number was on his chest.
The Legacy of the Double Three
The Celtics officially retired Bird’s 33 on February 4, 1993. It was a massive, two-hour ceremony at the old Boston Garden. Magic Johnson even showed up wearing a Celtics shirt under his Lakers warmups—a legendary move for a legendary rival.
Today, 33 is a "sacred" number in Boston. You can't wear it. Even when big-name free agents come to town, they don't even ask. It’s Bird’s.
- High School: 33 (Springs Valley)
- College: 33 (Indiana State)
- NBA: 33 (Boston Celtics)
- Olympics: 7 (Team USA)
Beyond just the jersey, the number has become a symbol of a specific kind of "hick from French Lick" toughness. It represents the era of short shorts, no-look passes, and a jump shot that was essentially automatic.
If you're looking to grab a piece of history, you've got options. Authentic Mitchell & Ness jerseys are the gold standard for the 1980s look, but you can also find the Indiana State version if you want to look like a true hoop historian. Just make sure the "33" is stitched—Larry wouldn't have it any other way.
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If you’re a collector, keep an eye out for 1992 Olympic memorabilia. While the 33 is the classic, the number 7 Dream Team jersey is actually much rarer and often holds significant value at sports auctions because it represents the final chapter of his playing career. Check reputable sites like Heritage Auctions or specialized NBA memorabilia forums to track the market value of these specific items.