Jersey Numbers, Forgotten Moments & Ish Smith’s Brief Run with the Golden State Warriors
If you’ve been a Golden State Warriors fan for more than just the Steph Curry era, you know this franchise has some serious basketball history. We’re talking over 75 years of hardwood drama, iconic players, unforgettable buzzer-beaters—and yeah, a dizzying rotation of jersey numbers worn by more than 600 different players!
Let that sink in. Six hundred-plus ballers have suited up for this franchise, rocking everything from classic single digits to those oddball high numbers that only make sense when your top 20 jersey picks are already taken.
A Legacy Built Across Cities and Eras
Before they became Bay Area royalty, the Warriors had quite the journey. This franchise was originally born in Philadelphia in 1946—back when the NBA didn’t even exist yet. It was called the Basketball Association of America (BAA) at the time. A few years later, the BAA merged with the NBL, and voila—the NBA we know today was born. The Warriors were there from the jump.
Over the years, the team set up shop in San Francisco, then Oakland, and now they’re back in the heart of SF again at the Chase Center. They even had a brief pit stop in San Diego—a little-known fact even for die-hard fans.
It’s not just about championships and superstar legacies; it’s about honoring all those players who once pulled on a Warriors jersey—no matter how short their stint was. That’s what makes this journey so fun. You get to dig into some names that probably slipped under the radar, like a certain guard who once wore No. 12 for Golden State.
Spotlight on No. 12: Ish Smith’s Warrior Days
Now, No. 12 might not carry the weight of, say, a No. 30 (shoutout Steph!), but it has its own story. A total of 28 players have worn that number in a Warriors jersey, and today we’re zooming in on the 22nd guy on that list.
Enter: Ish Smith.
You might’ve heard of him bouncing around the league—he’s basically the ultimate NBA journeyman. But back in 2011, Smith briefly called Golden State home. And by “briefly,” we mean just six games.
Quick Facts About Ish Smith’s Time with the Warriors
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College: Wake Forest University
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Draft Status: Went undrafted in 2010
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Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
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Signed With Warriors: 2011
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Games Played: 6
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Averages: 4.5 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists
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Jersey Number: 12
Smith’s road to the NBA wasn’t paved with five-star recruit status or flashy highlight reels. After wrapping up a respectable college career at Wake Forest, he didn’t hear his name called on draft night. But that didn’t stop him. The Houston Rockets gave him his first shot, and he made the most of it.
From there, he had short stints with teams like the Memphis Grizzlies before finding his way to the Golden State Warriors.
A Short Stay with a Dash of Hustle
Ish Smith’s tenure with the Warriors might not be immortalized in highlight reels or framed jerseys, but it did happen—and that matters. Sometimes it’s not about the length of time a player stays with a team, but the grind and hustle they bring in the minutes they get.
He was eventually cut in January of 2012, wrapping up a brief chapter in what would become a nomadic NBA career. Still, even in that short window, Smith gave the Warriors some solid bench production and veteran energy.
Let’s be real—Smith’s career isn’t defined by Golden State, but those six games were part of his larger journey across the league. And for fans who live for the deep cuts in team history, players like Smith make for some pretty cool trivia.
Did You Know? Fun Ish Smith Nuggets
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As of 2025, Ish has played for a record-breaking 13 different NBA teams!
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He’s known for blazing speed and ball distribution—earning him the nickname “Ish-Speed” in some circles.
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Despite being undrafted, he carved out a longer career than many first-round picks.
That’s the beauty of the NBA grind—it’s unpredictable, sometimes unforgiving, but always full of surprises.
Why Jersey Numbers Matter More Than You Think
Some folks might shrug off jersey numbers as just a technical detail, but ask any player or fan, and you’ll see how symbolic those digits really are. Whether it’s No. 23 channeling MJ energy, or No. 30 rewriting the book on shooting, numbers carry meaning.
In this case, No. 12 tells the story of 28 different Warriors—each with their own path, their own battles, and their own place in franchise lore.
The Bigger Picture: Celebrating All Warriors, Big or Small
Sure, the history books will forever highlight names like Wilt Chamberlain, Rick Barry, Chris Mullin, and of course, the Big Three of Steph, Klay, and Draymond. But digging into these lesser-known stories shows us just how deep the franchise’s roots go.
Every player, whether it was six games or six seasons, helped shape what this team is today. From undrafted hopefuls like Ish Smith to Hall of Fame locks, every jersey number tells a piece of the tale.
So yeah, next time you see a No. 12 Warriors jersey, maybe don’t brush it off. Maybe think about the hustle, the grind, the dream that kept guys like Ish Smith pushing through.
Final Thoughts: Why We Keep Digging
This isn't just a walk down memory lane—it’s a full-on excavation of basketball culture, one jersey number at a time. As Warriors Wire continues its mission to document every player tied to every number, we get more than stats. We get human stories. We get moments that mattered, even if just for a week.
And coming up next? We’ll take another deep dive into the next number in Warriors history. You never know what gem might be hiding behind an old box score.
So stay tuned, keep the jerseys in mind, and remember—it’s not just about who scores the most. Sometimes it’s about the guys who showed up, suited up, and gave it everything they had… even if it was just for six games.
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