default-cbs-image

At Michigan State, Denzel Valentine donned the No. 45 for the Spartans. So when it came to time pick his jersey number with the Chicago Bulls, the team that drafted him No. 14 overall in June's draft, Valentine stuck with the same number briefly worn by Bulls legend Michael Jordan.

After Jordan ended his baseball sabbatical in 1995, he rejoined the Bulls and wore No. 45. Jordan made this decision because of sentimental reasons relating to his father, who last saw his son play in No. 23. And No. 45 was what Jordan wore throughout high school and he only wore No. 23 after because it was basically half of 45.

Jordan quickly switched back to No. 23 though and that is the jersey which the Bulls retired, giving Valentine full access to wear No. 45:

Valentine isn't the first Bulls player to wear No. 45 though. Paul Shirley, Luke Schenscher and Rasual Butler all chose that number when playing for Chicago. But by picking Valentine in first round, the Bulls are hoping Valentine can provide a lot more than those players did.

He may not be ever be able to come close to what Jordan was to the Bulls but may Valentine be one of the better players to wear No. 45 in Chicago.

Denzel Valentine Michigan State
Denzel Valentine is going to keep wearing No. 45 in Chicago. USATSI