I know in the NBA any number below 55 is allowed (any above need league approval for some reason). I always thought the limits on numbers were to make them easier for the referees to signal. Not that it's that difficult otherwise, but yea, I think that was the reason.

Here's a list of players who are wearing #1 currently in the NBA:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/friv/numbers.cgi?number=1&year=2009

Some pretty well known players on there. Can't believe you've never heard of anyone wearing #1 before.

4-15
only.. when I played, sooo long ago.
The captain had to wear 4.

It was so that they could call 3 seconds, and 2 shots and the scorers wouldn't get confused.

Number 4 the capt. Could speak to the refs.
No other number could

and not being able to signal above 15.
Sorry, just brought back some memories, of the ole days. Like being told to sit down 'cause I wasn't number 4. And, doing some scoring etc.

ah a ref, I hate strange numbers, 16-19, 26-29 etc etc and anything over 55. Its just to easy to get wrong or to be misinterparated.

FIBA rules are that only legal numbers are 4-15 (e.g. at the Olympics). Local competition by-laws allow other numbers. BASA used to have a by-law allowing 20-25, 30-35 etc only, which was changed to allow all numbers at some stage, don't know exactly when. NBA have their own rule as well.

I seem to recall playing in the 60s and they were signalling.. and getting told to sit.. and John Heard wearing no 4 etc...

Camel -

Did you wear those old canvas "Gym Boots" with the white disk on the side, or were you posh and have Adidas Romas or those white Spaldings?

Did you wear the dyed singlet with iron on numbers? Socks were part of the uniform and all had to be the same.

There was no such thing as a 3 pointer and the pass back rule had only just come in.

Those were the days!!!!

I love seeing local footy players running around with triple figures on their back. lol.

Highest I've seen in basketball is RonRon's 96.

A pair of blue gym boots with a white disc , for many years , skipper.

A dyed singlet and iron on numbers.
No 3 pointers. Then the pass back rule came in, late sixties.

A pair of shorts , like the sixers dancers wear....
and... the 'gym boot' is back, also... in the hip hop shop.............

Spinner, . sorry, I mis spelt your name.

Starting playing in 1962 , aged 11 , and , what we did through the sixties to now. It's been an intereting ride.

Teams shall use numbers from four (4) to fifteen (15). National federations have the authority to approve, for their competitions, any other numbers with a maximum of two (2) digits.

Bloody hell Camel, I thought I was old!!!! I only started in '68 at age 7!!

Good old Mt Gambier - When it wasn't raining, games were on bitumen courts with that loose dolomite all over it. Don't think I had any skin on my knees for a few years until the stadium was up and running!

Ah. An outside court , on the Port Rd Cheltenham.
Practicing and playing for many years , with the late Steve Johannsen and Colin Dabinett, They went out to United Church- now Sturt.
And, Brian Stidston stayed, for 50 years and played 7000 games.
Cheltenham sorta became Woodville.
West Torrens Eagles, amongst others, practised there, with Jim Maddigan, a very good coach, and Les Hody a good player... and, plenty of others, would have had a go there.
A lot easier inside, of course.