Through the 2024-25 season, the Los Angeles Lakers have had a total of 506 players suit up for them, going back to their days in Minneapolis. Some were forgettable, some were serviceable, some were good and a select few were flat-out legendary.
During the Lakers’ 80th season of existence (they were founded back in 1946 as the Detroit Gems in the National Basketball League), LeBron Wire is taking a look at each player who has worn their jersey, whether it has been a purple and gold one or the ones they donned back in the Midwest during their early years.
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Other than George Mikan, Vern Mikkelsen was one of the most important figures during the Lakers’ dynasty of the late 1940s and early 1950s. A 6-foot-7 power forward, he was the No. 11 pick in the 1949 draft, and in 10 NBA seasons, all of which were spent with the Lakers, he made the All-Star team six times.
By playing alongside Mikan, Mikkelson won four championships in his first five pro seasons. He retired in 1959 with career averages of 14.4 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists a game. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers jersey history No. 19 — Vern Mikkelsen
