The Houston Rockets have a long history of players wearing the No. 32 jersey, with Don Adams being one of the first to don it during the 1970-71 season. This look back at franchise history comes as the current Rockets team recently concluded a hard-fought playoff series.
Don Adams played for the Rockets during the 1970-71 NBA season. He was part of the early era of the franchise, which began play in the 1967-68 campaign. In total, the Rockets have seen players wear 52 different jersey numbers throughout their history.
Nearly 500 players have suited up for Houston over the decades. Adams is one of the many who contributed to the team's story during its formative years. His time with the team is a piece of the larger puzzle of Rockets basketball.
Honoring the players who built the franchise is a core part of the Rockets' identity. The team has officially retired seven jersey numbers to celebrate its all-time greats. Each number tells a story about the era and the men who wore it.
Projects like chronicling every jersey number help connect new fans with the team's past. It also gives long-time supporters a chance to remember players like Don Adams. This history provides context for the team's current identity and its future aspirations.
You can explore the full roster of past and present players on our official roster page.
The series included several close contests.
The series ultimately concluded with the 78-98 loss on May 2. This recent history shows the competitive nature of the modern NBA playoffs.
Looking at players like Don Adams reminds us that every current Rocket is adding to a legacy. The statistics and scores from today will become the history celebrated decades from now. The effort to document each jersey number ensures no contributor is forgotten.
The team's performance is a single chapter. It follows in the footsteps of hundreds of games played by those who wore the uniform before. Understanding this continuity is key for any fan.
Future stars will one day have their numbers discussed in the same way we now look back on No. 32. The work of preserving this history makes that possible. It turns individual seasons into a coherent, ongoing story for the Houston Rockets franchise.
