Kemba Walker considering jersey number change

In the aftermath of Kobe Bryant’s tragic death, many players have honored the fallen NBA legend in numerous ways.

For Boston Celtics guard Kemba Walker, it has him contemplating changing the number on his jersey.

Walker, who wore No. 15 during his eight seasons in Charlotte but couldn’t do so in Boston since that number is retired by the Celtics to honor Tommy Heinsohn, currently wears No. 8 just like Bryant did for the first half of his NBA career before Bryant switched over to the No. 24 ahead of the 2006-07 season. Walker, who picked the No. 8 with the Celtics because his birthday lands on May 8 and the number was available, hasn’t made a decision yet on if he will don another number out of respect for Bryant.

“I’m considering it but I’m not sure yet,” said Walker after the C’s 109-101 win over the Miami Heat Tuesday night. “I definitely have tons of respect for Kobe. But everybody mourns a little bit different. For me, I’m thinking I would love to honor him by wearing that number. Kobe played hard each and every night. I’d like to honor him by doing the same.”

Both of Bryant’s No. 8 and No. 24 are already retired by the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks made a rare move when they announced Sunday that their organization will retire Bryant’s No. 24 jersey even though Bryant never played for the Mavs.