Jersey No. 25: A Stitched Legacy in Thunder & SuperSonics History
When you think about the legacy of an NBA franchise, it's not just about the championship banners or All-Star players. Sometimes, the real stories are woven into the fabric of the game—literally. That’s right, jersey numbers often carry stories of the forgotten warriors, underrated contributors, and the spark-pluggers who helped define an era. In the case of the Oklahoma City Thunder—and the Seattle SuperSonics before them—there’s an entire timeline built into the numbers on the back of their players’ jerseys.
One jersey number that has a rich (and somewhat underappreciated) past is No. 25. This isn’t just a digit slapped onto a jersey. It’s a number that 12 different players have worn throughout the long and winding history of the franchise, stretching back to the birth of the Seattle SuperSonics during the 1967-68 NBA season. And yep—you heard that right. We’re talking over five decades of history tied to a single jersey number.
📌 Fun Fact: The SuperSonics began play in 1967, and after a 41-season run in Seattle, they became the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008. While the team name and location changed, the franchise's stats and records carried over.
The Backstory: Seattle to OKC
Let’s pause for a quick rewind.
Before we dive deep into No. 25, here’s a bit of backstory: When the team transitioned from Seattle to Oklahoma City, there were questions about what would happen to the legacy of the SuperSonics. Would the team’s history vanish like it never happened? The answer was—thankfully—not entirely.
While a new team in Seattle would claim the name "SuperSonics" if it ever returned (just like how the Charlotte Bobcats transformed back into the Charlotte Hornets and reclaimed their old records), the current Oklahoma City Thunder do carry the franchise's history, stats, and all.
So yes—Seattle’s legacy is still part of OKC’s fabric. And so are the jersey numbers. That includes No. 25.
12 Players, One Number
Let’s get to the real stars of the story—those 12 guys who had the honor of wearing No. 25.
Now, you won’t find any MVPs or Hall of Famers here. But what you will find are players with grit, determination, and stories that deserve to be told. One such story belongs to a lesser-known player from the SuperSonics days: Michael Phelps. No, not the Olympic swimmer—but a former guard who had a solid, albeit short, career in the NBA.
Remembering Michael Phelps (No, Not That One)
Let’s talk about Michael Phelps, the basketball player—not the 23-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer. The name might confuse some, but this Phelps made his mark on hardwood courts, not in swimming pools.
🎯 Quick Player Spotlight:
Name: Michael Phelps
College: Alcorn State
Drafted: 144th overall in the 1985 NBA Draft
Team: Seattle SuperSonics
NBA Seasons Played: 2 (1985-1987)
Coming out of Alcorn State, Phelps wasn’t exactly a household name, and being picked 144th overall (yep, the NBA Draft had that many rounds back then!) didn’t guarantee much in terms of job security. Still, he clawed his way onto the SuperSonics roster and proudly wore jersey No. 25.
During his stint in Seattle, Phelps averaged:
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3.5 points
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1.1 rebounds
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1.0 assists per game
Modest stats, sure. But every minute on that court counted.
Journey to the Clippers
After two seasons with the Sonics, Phelps took his talents to California, signing with the Los Angeles Clippers in 1988. While his NBA career wasn’t long-lasting, his name remains etched in the history books—especially when you start digging into jersey number legacies like this one.
🧵 Did You Know? Phelps was a native of Vicksburg, Mississippi. He made the leap from a small-town hero to NBA player, proving that even deep picks in the draft can make it to the big leagues.
Why Jersey Numbers Matter
You might wonder—what’s the big deal about jersey numbers? Aren’t they just a random digit?
Not at all.
In basketball culture, jersey numbers carry emotion, pride, and identity. Some players are forever linked to their numbers—think Jordan with 23, Kobe with 24, or LeBron with 6 and 23. And for lesser-known players, the number on their back may be the only way fans remember them. That’s why covering every jersey number, including No. 25, gives us a fuller picture of the franchise’s identity.
✨ Highlight Moment: While No. 25 might not have featured a league MVP, it has seen players pass through different eras of the NBA—from the wild west 80s to the modern, analytics-driven game.
Thunder Wire’s Ongoing Series
This deep dive into jersey No. 25 is just one part of a broader project by Thunder Wire, which is chronicling the entire lineup of jersey numbers that players have worn throughout the franchise’s history.
So far, they've highlighted numbers from 00 all the way up to the current focus—No. 27 in the series, meaning we’ve arrived at No. 25 today. The idea is to explore every digit, every player, every story.
And when it comes to Thunder/Sonics history, there’s a treasure trove of content to work with.
Looking Ahead (and Back)
Whether you're a die-hard OKC Thunder fan or a nostalgic Seattle SuperSonics supporter, these jersey retrospectives serve as a bridge between generations. They remind us that every player—whether they averaged 30 points or 3.5—contributed to the rich tapestry of the game.
So here’s a toast to No. 25.
To the 12 men who wore it with pride.
To Michael Phelps, the baller not the swimmer.
And to the idea that every number has a story—if you're willing to dig deep enough to find it.
📌 Final Thoughts:
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12 players have worn No. 25 for the Thunder/Sonics franchise.
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The number was part of the Seattle SuperSonics legacy before OKC took over.
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Michael Phelps, a Mississippi native, is among the most notable names to wear it.
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Thunder Wire is honoring every jersey number in franchise history—No. 25 is just one chapter in a much larger story.
Stick around as Thunder Wire continues this journey—because sometimes, the story behind the number is just as thrilling as the action on the court.
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