Remembering Bernie Williams: The Legacy of Jersey No. 18 for the Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets franchise has a rich history of jersey numbers, with a total of 52 different designs worn by nearly 500 players since their inception in the 1967-68 season. Among the notable numbers, the team has honored seven jerseys by retiring them, celebrating the contributions of some of its greatest players. This retrospective series aims to highlight these jerseys and the athletes who wore them, starting with the storied No. 18, worn by guard Bernie Williams.

Bernie Williams, a standout from La Salle University, was selected as the 21st overall pick in the 1969 NBA Draft by the then-San Diego Rockets, who later relocated to Houston. The Washington, D.C. native played his first two professional seasons with the Rockets before making the switch to the ABA in 1971.

Throughout his time with the Rockets, Williams primarily donned jersey numbers 18 and 35, averaging 7.0 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. His contributions during his tenure helped lay the groundwork for future successes within the franchise.

This article is part of a series commemorating the history of the Rockets' jersey numbers and the players who have made their mark on the team over the years.