NBA News: Orlando Magic Guard Reverts Back To No. 31 After Kobe Bryant's Passing

Reports have surfaced that another guard will be changing his jersey number in honor of the late Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant. He will be the third in the NBA who will be making such change.

Orlando Magic’s Terrence Ross switched jersey numbers from 8 back to his old number 31 per reports from Shams Charania of The Athletic on his Twitter account. The 28-year old guard has been using number 31 almost his entire NBA career and during his college years.

Josh Robbins of The Athletic reported that the Orlando Magic highlight reel has been waiting for the perfect time for him to use the jersey number 8 as a promise to himself – which is to use the number once he turns pro as a reminder of the order where he was selected in the draft. He was drafted eighth overall in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors – the same year when Lakers center Anthony Davis was picked number one by the New Orleans Pelicans.

That plan, though, did not materialize as the number 8 is being used at that time by their point guard Jose Calderon back In Toronto, prompting him to use his college jersey number again. After five seasons with the Raptors, he was shipped to the Magic as a part of the Serge Ibaka trade but Mario Hezonja was using the number 8, forcing him to use his college number again.

This season, he finally was able to use the number he’s been longing to use for a long time but after the tragic helicopter crash that killed Bryant, he’s more than willing to go back to his old number as his tribute to the fallen NBA great.

Ross, a former Washington Husky, is averaging 13.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 assists in his 46 games with the Magic so far this season – all coming off the bench.