Every NBA player who wore number 42
125 NBA players have worn 42 since 1946-47. The most decorated: Nate Thurmond (Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers; 6 awards, 7x All-Star), James Worthy (Los Angeles Lakers; 4 awards, 7x All-Star), and Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, Utah Jazz; 4 awards, 5x All-Star). Elton Brand wore it longest, 16 seasons.
| Player | With | Seasons | Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nate Thurmond | Golden State Warriors 1963-64 to 1973-74, Chicago Bulls 1974-75 to 1975-76, Cleveland Cavaliers 1976-77 | 14 | 6 awards, 7x All-Star |
| James Worthy | Los Angeles Lakers 1982-83 to 1993-94 | 12 | 4 awards, 7x All-Star |
| Kevin Love | Minnesota Timberwolves 2008-09 to 2013-14, Miami Heat 2023-24 to 2024-25, Utah Jazz 2025-26 | 9 | 4 awards, 5x All-Star |
| Al Horford | Boston Celtics 2016-17 to 2024-25, Philadelphia 76ers 2019-20 | 9 | 3 awards, 5x All-Star |
| Vin Baker | Milwaukee Bucks 1993-94 to 1996-97, Oklahoma City Thunder 1997-98 to 2001-02, Boston Celtics 2002-03, New York Knicks 2003-04, Houston Rockets 2004-05 | 12 | 3 awards, 4x All-Star |
| Tom Chambers | Utah Jazz 1993-94 to 1994-95 | 2 | 3 awards, 4x All-Star |
| Tony Allen | Boston Celtics 2004-05 to 2009-10 | 6 | 6 awards |
| Elton Brand | Chicago Bulls 1999-00 to 2000-01, LA Clippers 2001-02 to 2007-08, Philadelphia 76ers 2008-09 to 2015-16, Dallas Mavericks 2012-13, Atlanta Hawks 2013-14 | 16 | 3 awards, 2x All-Star |
| Anthony Mason | Brooklyn Nets 1989-90 | 1 | 3 awards, All-Star |
| Jerry Stackhouse | Philadelphia 76ers 1995-96 to 1996-97, Detroit Pistons 1997-98 to 2001-02, Washington Wizards 2002-03 to 2003-04, Dallas Mavericks 2004-05 to 2008-09, Atlanta Hawks 2011-12, Brooklyn Nets 2012-13 | 16 | 1 award, 2x All-Star |
| Theo Ratliff | Detroit Pistons 1995-96 to 2007-08, Philadelphia 76ers 1997-98 to 1999-00, Atlanta Hawks 2002-03, Portland Trail Blazers 2003-04 to 2005-06, Charlotte Hornets 2009-10 | 11 | 2 awards, All-Star |
| David Lee | New York Knicks 2005-06 to 2009-10, Dallas Mavericks 2015-16 | 6 | 1 award, 2x All-Star |
| Terry Dischinger | Portland Trail Blazers 1972-73 | 1 | 3x All-Star |
| Kevin Willis | Atlanta Hawks 1984-85 to 2004-05, Houston Rockets 1996-97 to 1997-98, Toronto Raptors 1998-99 to 1999-00, San Antonio Spurs 2002-03 to 2003-04 | 16 | 1 award, All-Star |
| Roy Tarpley | Dallas Mavericks 1986-87 to 1994-95 | 6 | 2 awards |
| Jack Marin | LA Clippers 1974-75 | 1 | 2x All-Star |
| Tom Gugliotta | Utah Jazz 2003-04 | 1 | 1 award, All-Star |
| Sam Mitchell | Minnesota Timberwolves 1989-90 to 2001-02 | 10 | 1 award |
| Walt Williams | Sacramento Kings 1992-93 to 1994-95, Miami Heat 1995-96, Toronto Raptors 1996-97, Portland Trail Blazers 1997-98 to 1998-99, Houston Rockets 1999-00 to 2000-01 | 9 | 1 award |
| Kermit Washington | LA Clippers 1978-79, Portland Trail Blazers 1979-80 to 1981-82 | 4 | All-Star |
| James Posey | Miami Heat 2005-06 to 2006-07 | 2 | 1 award |
| Calvin Natt | Indiana Pacers 1989-90 | 1 | All-Star |
| Maxime Raynaud | Sacramento Kings 2025-26 | 1 | 1 award |
| Pervis Ellison | Sacramento Kings 1989-90 | 1 | 1 award |
| Tyrone Hill | Milwaukee Bucks 1997-98 | 1 | All-Star |
| P.J. Brown | Brooklyn Nets 1993-94 to 1995-96, Miami Heat 1996-97 to 1999-00, Charlotte Hornets 2000-01 to 2001-02, New Orleans Pelicans 2002-03 to 2005-06, Chicago Bulls 2006-07 | 14 | — |
| Mike Gminski | Brooklyn Nets 1980-81 to 1986-87, Philadelphia 76ers 1987-88 to 1989-90, Charlotte Hornets 1990-91 to 1992-93 | 13 | — |
| Harvey Catchings | Philadelphia 76ers 1974-75 to 1978-79, Milwaukee Bucks 1979-80 to 1983-84, LA Clippers 1984-85 | 11 | — |
| Chris Ford | Detroit Pistons 1972-73 to 1977-78, Boston Celtics 1978-79 to 1981-82 | 10 | — |
| Walt Hazzard | Los Angeles Lakers 1964-65 to 1966-67, Oklahoma City Thunder 1967-68 to 1973-74, Atlanta Hawks 1968-69 to 1970-71, LA Clippers 1971-72 to 1972-73 | 10 | — |
| Wayne Cooper | Portland Trail Blazers 1982-83 to 1991-92, Denver Nuggets 1984-85 to 1988-89 | 10 | — |
| Greg Ballard | Washington Wizards 1977-78 to 1984-85, Oklahoma City Thunder 1988-89 | 9 | — |
| Lorenzen Wright | Atlanta Hawks 1999-00 to 2006-07, Memphis Grizzlies 2001-02 to 2005-06, Sacramento Kings 2007-08 | 9 | — |
| Mike Woodson | Sacramento Kings 1981-82 to 1985-86, LA Clippers 1986-87 to 1987-88, Houston Rockets 1988-89 to 1989-90 | 9 | — |
| Lance Thomas | New Orleans Pelicans 2011-12 to 2012-13, New York Knicks 2014-15 to 2018-19, Brooklyn Nets 2019-20 | 8 | — |
| Larry Krystkowiak | San Antonio Spurs 1986-87, Milwaukee Bucks 1987-88 to 1991-92, Utah Jazz 1992-93, Orlando Magic 1993-94, Chicago Bulls 1994-95 | 8 | — |
| Lucius Allen | Oklahoma City Thunder 1969-70, Milwaukee Bucks 1971-72 to 1973-74, Los Angeles Lakers 1975-76 to 1976-77, Sacramento Kings 1977-78 to 1978-79 | 8 | — |
| Nene | Washington Wizards 2011-12 to 2015-16, Houston Rockets 2016-17 to 2018-19 | 8 | — |
| Pat Cummings | Dallas Mavericks 1982-83 to 1983-84, New York Knicks 1984-85 to 1987-88, Miami Heat 1988-89 to 1989-90 | 8 | — |
| Scott Williams | Chicago Bulls 1990-91 to 1993-94, Milwaukee Bucks 1998-99 to 2000-01, Dallas Mavericks 2003-04 | 8 | — |
| Wally Walker | Portland Trail Blazers 1976-77 to 1977-78, Oklahoma City Thunder 1978-79 to 1981-82, Houston Rockets 1982-83 to 1983-84 | 8 | — |
| Connie Hawkins | Phoenix Suns 1969-70 to 1973-74, Los Angeles Lakers 1974-75, Atlanta Hawks 1975-76 | 7 | — |
| Maxi Kleber | Dallas Mavericks 2017-18 to 2023-24 | 7 | — |
| Alexis Ajinca | Toronto Raptors 2010-11, New Orleans Pelicans 2013-14 to 2017-18 | 6 | — |
| Mark Acres | Boston Celtics 1987-88 to 1988-89, Orlando Magic 1989-90 to 1991-92, Washington Wizards 1992-93 | 6 | — |
| Shavlik Randolph | Philadelphia 76ers 2005-06 to 2007-08, Portland Trail Blazers 2008-09, Miami Heat 2009-10, Boston Celtics 2012-13 | 6 | — |
| Charlie Bell | Milwaukee Bucks 2005-06 to 2009-10 | 5 | — |
| Davis Bertans | San Antonio Spurs 2016-17 to 2018-19, Washington Wizards 2019-20 to 2020-21 | 5 | — |
| Donyell Marshall | Utah Jazz 2000-01 to 2001-02, Chicago Bulls 2002-03, Toronto Raptors 2003-04, Oklahoma City Thunder 2007-08 | 5 | — |
| Double D Davis | Cleveland Cavaliers 1972-73 to 1974-75, Golden State Warriors 1975-76 to 1976-77 | 5 | — |
| Edgar Jones | Brooklyn Nets 1980-81, Detroit Pistons 1981-82, San Antonio Spurs 1982-83 to 1984-85 | 5 | — |
| Ed Ratleff | Houston Rockets 1973-74 to 1977-78 | 5 | — |
| Mike Bantom | Brooklyn Nets 1976-77, Indiana Pacers 1977-78 to 1980-81, Philadelphia 76ers 1981-82 | 5 | — |
| Robin Lopez | Portland Trail Blazers 2013-14 to 2014-15, Chicago Bulls 2017-18 to 2018-19, Milwaukee Bucks 2019-20 | 5 | — |
| Sean May | Charlotte Hornets 2005-06 to 2008-09, Sacramento Kings 2009-10 | 5 | — |
| Chuck Nevitt | Detroit Pistons 1985-86 to 1987-88 | 3 | — |
| Dave Hoppen | Charlotte Hornets 1988-89 to 1989-90, Brooklyn Nets 1992-93 | 3 | — |
| Evan Eschmeyer | Brooklyn Nets 2000-01, Dallas Mavericks 2001-02 to 2002-03 | 3 | — |
| Larry Demic | New York Knicks 1979-80 to 1981-82 | 3 | — |
| Mark Randall | Detroit Pistons 1992-93, Denver Nuggets 1993-94 to 1994-95 | 3 | — |
| Pat Riley | Houston Rockets 1967-68 to 1969-70 | 3 | — |
| Spencer Haywood | New York Knicks 1975-76 to 1977-78 | 3 | — |
| Bob Martin | LA Clippers 1993-94 to 1994-95 | 2 | — |
| Chuck Hayes | Sacramento Kings 2011-12 to 2012-13 | 2 | — |
| David Vaughn | Orlando Magic 1995-96, Brooklyn Nets 1997-98 | 2 | — |
| Eric Anderson | New York Knicks 1992-93 to 1993-94 | 2 | — |
| Eric Riley | Houston Rockets 1993-94, LA Clippers 1994-95 | 2 | — |
| Greg Foster | Washington Wizards 1990-91 to 1991-92 | 2 | — |
| Jakob Poeltl | Toronto Raptors 2016-17 to 2017-18 | 2 | — |
| Jay Murphy | Washington Wizards 1986-87 to 1987-88 | 2 | — |
| Jeff Halliburton | Atlanta Hawks 1971-72, Philadelphia 76ers 1972-73 | 2 | — |
| Joe Wolf | Denver Nuggets 1990-91 to 1991-92 | 2 | — |
| John Hummer | Oklahoma City Thunder 1974-75 to 1975-76 | 2 | — |
| Mark Hendrickson | Sacramento Kings 1997-98, Brooklyn Nets 1998-99 | 2 | — |
| Rick Wilson | Atlanta Hawks 1978-79 to 1979-80 | 2 | — |
| Ron Davis | LA Clippers 1980-81 to 1981-82 | 2 | — |
| Ryan Bowen | Denver Nuggets 1999-00 to 2000-01 | 2 | — |
| Shayne Whittington | Indiana Pacers 2014-15 to 2015-16 | 2 | — |
| Willie Wise | Denver Nuggets 1976-77, Oklahoma City Thunder 1977-78 | 2 | — |
| Wilson Washington | Brooklyn Nets 1977-78 to 1978-79 | 2 | — |
| Alex Stivrins | Oklahoma City Thunder 1985-86 | 1 | — |
| Alvin Jones | Philadelphia 76ers 2002-03 | 1 | — |
| Bobby Wilson | Boston Celtics 1976-77 | 1 | — |
| Bonzi Wells | Sacramento Kings 2005-06 | 1 | — |
| Bruce Douglas | Sacramento Kings 1986-87 | 1 | — |
| Cedric Lewis | Washington Wizards 1995-96 | 1 | — |
| Charlie Paulk | Chicago Bulls 1971-72 | 1 | — |
| Chris Mills | New York Knicks 1997-98 | 1 | — |
| Cliff Pondexter | Chicago Bulls 1976-77 | 1 | — |
| Curtis Kitchen | Oklahoma City Thunder 1986-87 | 1 | — |
| Dave Corzine | Oklahoma City Thunder 1990-91 | 1 | — |
| Dave Popson | Boston Celtics 1990-91 | 1 | — |
| Dave Stallworth | Washington Wizards 1973-74 | 1 | — |
| Don Chaney | Boston Celtics 1977-78 | 1 | — |
| Dwayne Schintzius | Sacramento Kings 1991-92 | 1 | — |
| Earl Barron | New York Knicks 2012-13 | 1 | — |
| Eddie Miles | New York Knicks 1971-72 | 1 | — |
| Greg Lee | Portland Trail Blazers 1975-76 | 1 | — |
| Henry James | Atlanta Hawks 1996-97 | 1 | — |
| Howard Wright | Orlando Magic 1992-93 | 1 | — |
| Jeff Sanders | Chicago Bulls 1989-90 | 1 | — |
| Jeff Webster | Washington Wizards 1995-96 | 1 | — |
| Jelani McCoy | Toronto Raptors 2002-03 | 1 | — |
| Jerome Anderson | Boston Celtics 1975-76 | 1 | — |
| Jim Brewer | Detroit Pistons 1978-79 | 1 | — |
| John Brisker | Oklahoma City Thunder 1972-73 | 1 | — |
| John Stroud | Houston Rockets 1980-81 | 1 | — |
| Kedrick Brown | Boston Celtics 2001-02 | 1 | — |
| Kevin Williams | LA Clippers 1988-89 | 1 | — |
| Kim Anderson | Portland Trail Blazers 1978-79 | 1 | — |
| Luke Rackley | Philadelphia 76ers 1973-74 | 1 | — |
| Michael Young | LA Clippers 1989-90 | 1 | — |
| Mike Hall | Washington Wizards 2006-07 | 1 | — |
| Mike Higgins | Denver Nuggets 1989-90 | 1 | — |
| Richard Rellford | San Antonio Spurs 1987-88 | 1 | — |
| Robert Rose | LA Clippers 1988-89 | 1 | — |
| Ron Crevier | Detroit Pistons 1985-86 | 1 | — |
| Ron Valentine | Denver Nuggets 1980-81 | 1 | — |
| Scott May | Chicago Bulls 1977-78 | 1 | — |
| Stephen Bardo | San Antonio Spurs 1991-92 | 1 | — |
| Steve Hamer | Boston Celtics 1996-97 | 1 | — |
| Terry Duerod | Dallas Mavericks 1980-81 | 1 | — |
| Tito Horford | Washington Wizards 1993-94 | 1 | — |
| Walter Sharpe | Detroit Pistons 2008-09 | 1 | — |
| Zendon Hamilton | Philadelphia 76ers 2003-04 | 1 | — |
Seasons in the number, on every club. Honours count NBA awards and All-Star selections on file; numbers from NBA.com's season rosters.