The best players to wear 3 as their jersey number includes a hit list of legendary athletes. Players from all sports leagues have made an impact with the popular #3 on their jerseys. Each athlete hoped to make his own legacy to stand the test of time in his respective league.
NBA superstars like Dwyane Wade, Allen Iverson, and Chris Paul dominated the NBA while sporting the 3 on their backs. Babe Ruth and Ken Griffey Jr. are among the Hall of Fame MLB players who wore numer 3 during their iconic careers. NFL and NHL fans have strong associations with the number for some of the most famous names in their sports with players like Russell Wilson and Pierre Pilote.
So check out the list of athletes who wore 3 and help decide who deserves to rank the highest for wearing this iconic jersey number. Vote up your favorite athletes to wear the number 3, then head over and check out some other iconic jersey numbers, including the best players to wear No. 25.
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League: MLB
Years active: 1914-1935
Stats: .342 batting average, 714 home runs, 2,213 RBIs,Career Highlights
- Baseball Hall of Fame
- 2× All-Star (1933, 1934)
- 7× World Series champion (1915, 1916, 1918, 1923, 1927, 1928, 1932)
- AL MVP (1923)
- Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Position: Right fielder, Outfielder, Left fielder, Pitcher
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League: NBA
Years active: 2003-2019
Stats: 1,054 games played, 22.0 points per game, 5.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.5 stealsCareer Highlights
- 3× NBA champion (2006, 2012, 2013)
- NBA Finals MVP (2006)
- 13× NBA All-Star (2005–2016, 2019)
- NBA All-Star Game MVP (2010)
- 2× All-NBA First Team (2009, 2010)
- 3× All-NBA Second Team (2005, 2006, 2011)
- 3× All-NBA Third Team (2007, 2012, 2013)
- 3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2005, 2009, 2010)
- Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Position: Shooting guard
Is this athlete great?Dwyane Wade's Best Teammates Throughout His NBA CareerSee all
- 1Shaquille O'Neal64 Votes
- 2LeBron James98 Votes
- 3Chris Bosh79 Votes
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League: NBA
Years active: 1996-2010
Stats: 914 games played, 27.6 points per game, 6.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 2.2 stealsCareer Highlights
- Basketball Hall of Fame
- NBA Most Valuable Player (2001)
- 11× NBA All-Star (2000–2010)
- 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2001, 2005)
- 3× All-NBA First Team (1999, 2001, 2005)
- 3× All-NBA Second Team (2000, 2002, 2003)
- All-NBA Third Team (2006)
- NBA Rookie of the Year (1997)
- Birthplace: Hampton, Virginia, USA
- Position: Point guard
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League: MLB
Years active: 1989-2010
Stats: .284 batting average, 630 home runs, 1,836 RBIsCareer Highlights
- Baseball Hall of Fame
- 13× All-Star (1990–2000, 2004, 2007)
- AL MVP (1997)
- 10× Gold Glove Award (1990–1999)
- 7× Silver Slugger Award (1991, 1993, 1994, 1996–1999)
- NL Comeback Player of the Year (2005)
- Birthplace: Donora, Pennsylvania, USA
- Position: Designated hitter, Outfielder, Left fielder
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League: NBA
Years active: 2005-present
Stats: 950 games played, 18.5 points per game, 9.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 2.2 stealsCareer Highlights
- 9× NBA All-Star (2008–2016)
- NBA All-Star Game MVP (2013)
- 4× All-NBA First Team (2008, 2012–2014)
- 3× All-NBA Second Team (2009, 2015, 2016)
- All-NBA Third Team (2011)
- 7× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2009, 2012–2017)
- 2× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2008, 2011)
- NBA Rookie of the Year (2006)
- Birthplace: Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
- Position: Point guard
Is this athlete great?Chris Paul's Best Teams Throughout His Long And Storied NBA CareerSee all- 1Phoenix Suns25 Votes
- 2Los Angeles Clippers34 Votes
- 3Houston Rockets39 Votes
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League: NBA
Years active: 1997-2013
Stats: 938 games played, 19.6 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game, 4.4 assists per gameCareer Highlights
- Basketball Hall of Fame
- 7× NBA All-Star (2001–2007)
- 2× All-NBA First Team (2002, 2003)
- 3× All-NBA Second Team (2001, 2004, 2007)
- 2× All-NBA Third Team (2005, 2008)
- 2× NBA scoring champion (2003, 2004)
- NBA Most Improved Player (2001)
- Birthplace: USA, Florida, Bartow
- Position: Shooting guard, Small forward
Is this athlete great?- Photo:
League: MLB
Years active: 1925-1945
Stats: .325 batting average, 524 home runs, 1,922 RBIsCareer Highlights
- Baseball Hall of Fame
- 9× All-Star (1933–1941)
- 2× World Series champion (1929, 1930)
- 3× AL MVP (1932, 1933, 1938)
- Triple Crown (1933)
- Birthplace: Sudlersville, Maryland
- Position: First baseman
Is this athlete great?- Photo:
League: NFL
Years active: 2012-present
Stats: 112 games played, 25,624 passing yards, 196 passing touchdownsCareer Highlights
- Super Bowl champion (XLVIII)
- 6× Pro Bowl (2012–2015, 2017, 2018)
- Pro Bowl Offensive MVP (2015)
- Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Position: Quarterback
Is this athlete great?- Photo:
League: MLB
Years active: 1994-2016
Stats: .295 batting average, 696 home runs, 2,086 RBIsCareer Highlights
- 14× All-Star (1996–1998, 2000–2008, 2010, 2011)
- World Series champion (2009)
- 3× AL MVP (2003, 2005, 2007)
- 2× Gold Glove Award (2002, 2003)
- 10× Silver Slugger Award (1996, 1998–2003, 2005, 2007, 2008)
- Birthplace: Washington Heights, New York, USA
- Position: Shortstop, Third baseman
Is this athlete great?- Photo:
League: NBA
Years active: 1996-2012
Stats: 1,088 games played, 5.7 points per game, 9.6 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 1.9 rebounds, 1.9 stealsCareer Highlights
- NBA champion (2004)
- 4× NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006)
- 4× NBA All-Star (2003–2006)
- 3× All-NBA Second Team (2003, 2004, 2006)
- 2× All-NBA Third Team (2002, 2005)
- 5× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2002–2006)
- NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2007)
- Birthplace: While Hall, Alabama, United States
- Position: Center
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- los angeles chargers
- Birthplace: Haines City, Florida
- Position: Strong safety
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League: MLB
Years active: 1954-1975
Stats: .256 batting average, 573 home runs, 1,584 RBIsCareer Highlights
- Baseball Hall of Fame
- 13× All-Star (1959, 1959, 1961, 1961, 1963–1971)
- AL MVP (1969)
- Birthplace: Payette, Idaho, USA
- Position: Designated hitter, Left fielder, First baseman, Third baseman
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13League: MLB
Years active: 1926-1947
Stats: .304 batting average, 511 home runs, 1,860 RBIsCareer Highlights
- Baseball Hall of Fame
- 12× All-Star (1934–1945)
- World Series champion (1933)
- Birthplace: Gretna, Louisiana
- Position: Right fielder, Outfielder
Is this athlete great?- Photo:
League: MLB
Years active: 1977-1996
Stats: .285 batting average, 185 home runs, 1,003 RBIsCareer Highlights
- Baseball Hall of Fame
- 6× All-Star (1980, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990)
- World Series champion (1984)
- World Series MVP (1984)
- 4× Gold Glove Award (1980, 1981, 1983, 1984)
- 3× Silver Slugger Award (1987, 1988, 1990)
- Birthplace: Garden Grove, California, USA
- Position: Shortstop
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League: MLB
Years active: 1976-1993
Stats: .265 batting average, 398 home runs, 1,266 RBIsCareer Highlights
- 7× All-Star (1980, 1982–1987)
- 2× NL MVP (1982, 1983)
- 5× Gold Glove Award (1982–1986)
- 4× Silver Slugger Award (1982–1985)
- Birthplace: Portland, Oregon
- Position: Right fielder, Outfielder, Center fielder
Is this athlete great?- Photo:
League: NBA
Years active: 1997-2014
Stats: 1043 games played, 15.2 points per game, 5.4 assists, 2.9 rebounds, 1.0 stealsCareer Highlights
- NBA champion (2004)
- NBA Finals MVP (2004)
- 5× NBA All-Star (2006–2010)
- All-NBA Second Team (2006)
- 2× All-NBA Third Team (2007, 2009)
- 2× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2005, 2006)
- Birthplace: Denver, Colorado
- Position: Point guard
Is this athlete great?- Photo:
League: MLB
Years active: 1998-2017
Stats: .279 batting average, 435 home runs, 1,587 RBIsCareer Highlights
- 9× All-Star (2004–2007, 2009, 2011–2013, 2016)
- World Series champion (2017)
- AL Rookie of the Year (1999)
- 3× Gold Glove Award (2006–2008)
- 2× Silver Slugger Award (2006, 2007)
- Birthplace: Manatí, Puerto Rico
- Position: Right fielder, Outfielder, Center fielder
Is this athlete great?League: NBA
Years active: 2012-present
Stats: 488 games played, 19.8 games played, 3.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.1 stealsCareer Highlights
- 2× NBA All-Star (2018, 2019)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (2013)
- Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri
- Position: Shooting guard
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League: NBA
Years active: 2006-present
Stats: 856 games played, 14.4 points per game, 6.1 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 1.4 stealsCareer Highlights
- NBA champion (2019)
- 5× NBA All-Star (2015–2019)
- All-NBA Third Team (2016)
- Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Position: Point guard
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League: MLB
Years active: 1986-2005
Stats: .288 batting average, 569 home runs, 1,835 RBIsCareer Highlights
- 4× All-Star (1988, 1991, 1998, 1999)
- 3× Gold Glove Award (1997–1999)
- 2× Silver Slugger Award (1998, 1999)
- Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
- Position: Designated hitter, First baseman
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League: NFL
Years active: 2006-present
Stats: 367 games played, 200 field goals madeCareer Highlights
- 3× Super Bowl champion (XLIX, LI, LIII)
- 4× Pro Bowl (2008, 2013–2015)
- 2× First-team All-Pro (2008, 2015)
- Second-team All-Pro (2014)
- Birthplace: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Position: Placekicker
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- NFL
- YouTube
League: NFL
Years active: 1963-1975
Stats: 151 games played, 19,154 passing yards, 164 passing touchdownsCareer Highlights
- 2× Pro Bowl (1970, 1972)
- 3× AFL champion (1964, 1965, 1967)
- 3× AFL All-Star (1965, 1967, 1969)
- 2× First-team All-AFL (1967, 1969)
- 2× AFL MVP (1967, 1969)
- Birthplace: Fresno, California
- Position: Quarterback
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League: MLB
Years active: 1980-2001
Stats: .289 batting average, 394 home runs, 1,628 RBIsCareer Highlights
- Hall of Fame
- 6× All-Star (1985–1987, 1989, 1991, 1999)
- World Series champion (2005)
- Silver Slugger Award (1989)
- Birthplace: Easton, Maryland
- Position: Designated hitter, Right fielder
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League: NHL
Years active: 1956-1969
Stats: 890 games played, 80 goals, 418 assistsCareer Highlights
- Hockey Hall of Fame
- Stanley Cup winner
- 8x All-Star
- 3x Norris Memorial Trophy winner
- Birthplace: Jonquière, Saguenay, Canada
- Position: Defenseman
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League: NBA
Years active: 1999-2008
Stats: 576 games played, 18.1 points per game, 6.0 assists, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 stealsCareer Highlights
- 3× NBA All-Star (2002–2004)
- NBA Co-Rookie of the Year (2000)
- Birthplace: USA, Takoma Park, Maryland
- Position: Point guard, Shooting guard
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League: NHL
Years active: 1951-1970
Stats: 1,206 games played, 88 goals, 257 assistsCareer Highlights
- Hockey Hall of Fame
- 5x Stanley Cup winner
- 4x All-Star
- Birthplace: Lac-à-la-Tortue, Quebec, Canada
- Position: Defenseman
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League: NFL
Years active: 2003-2017
Stats: 182 games played, 46,247 passing yards, 294 passing touchdownsCareer Highlights
- 3× Pro Bowl (2005, 2006, 2015)
- Pro Bowl MVP (2006)
- Second-team All-Pro (2015)
- Birthplace: Fresno, California, USA
- Position: Quarterback
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League: NFL
Years active: 2002-present
Stats: 235 games played, 450 field goals madeCareer Highlights
- Pro Bowl (2016)
- Birthplace: Orange, Texas
- Position: Placekicker
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- NFL
- YouTube
League: NFL
Years active: 1985-1996
Stats: 118 games played, 21,683 passing yards, 135 passing touchdownsCareer Highlights
- Pro Bowl (1993)
- Birthplace: Cut Off, Louisiana
- Position: Quarterback
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League: NHL
Years active: 1953-1976
Stats: 1,411 games played, 94 goals, 324 assistsCareer Highlights
- Hockey Hall of Fame
- 2x All-Star
- Birthplace: Hamilton, Canada
- Position: Defenseman
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League: NHL
Years active: 1960-1979
Stats: 796 games played, 57 goals, 306 assistsCareer Highlights
- 5x Stanley Cup winner
- 2x All-Star
- Birthplace: Saguenay, La Baie, Canada
- Position: Defenseman
Is this athlete great?
