A Look Back at Hank Finkel and the Rockets' No. 17 Jersey

The Houston Rockets have seen a variety of players donning a total of 52 different jersey numbers since their inception in the 1967-68 NBA season. This includes a unique number worn by assistant coach and general manager Carroll Dawson, bringing the total to just under 500 players who have represented the franchise over the years. To pay tribute to the athletes who have sported these numbers, Rockets Wire is exploring the history behind each jersey and the stories of the players who wore them.

Among these numbers, seven have been retired in honor of some of the most iconic figures in Rockets history. Today, we focus on one of the eight players who wore the No. 17 jersey: Hank Finkel. After concluding his collegiate career at the University of Dayton, Finkel was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers as the 17th pick in the 1966 NBA Draft.

The New Jersey native made his way to the (then) San Diego Rockets after a single season with the Lakers, where he played until being traded to the Boston Celtics in 1969. During his tenure with the Rockets, Finkel exclusively wore the No. 17 jersey, averaging 8.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game, according to Basketball Reference.

Finkel's contributions to the team during the late 1960s highlight an important chapter in the Rockets' storied history.