The Houston Rockets have a rich history of jersey numbers, with 52 different digits worn by nearly 500 players since the team's inception in 1967. Among these, seven numbers have been retired to honor franchise legends. Today, we spotlight the first player to wear No. 14: guard Art Williams.

Williams' journey to the Rockets was anything but conventional. After a standout college career at Cal Poly Pomona, he went undrafted in the 1963 NBA Draft. It took four years, but in 1967, the San Diego Rockets (the franchise that would later become the Houston Rockets) gave him his shot. The San Diego native seized the opportunity, playing the first three seasons of his professional career with the team.

During his tenure from 1967 to 1970, Williams exclusively wore No. 14, putting up solid numbers: 7.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. His time in San Diego came to an end in 1970 when he was traded to the Boston Celtics. While his stats may not scream "superstar," Williams helped lay the groundwork for a franchise that would go on to achieve greatness. For fans looking to rep the early days of Rockets history, No. 14 is a nod to a player who helped get it all started.