'Representing my family': Why the No. 8 means so much to Jazz guard Patty Mills

SALT LAKE CITY — NBA players choose numbers for a variety of reasons.

Damian Lillard's No. 0 serves as the letter "O" — a nod to Oakland, Ogden and Oregon. Paul George changed from No. 24 to No. 13 after a fun nickname suggestion ("PG-13"). Donovan Mitchell wears No. 45 to honor Michael Jordan. Rudy Gobert chose No. 27 because he was a bit miffed he fell that far in the draft.

For some players, a number is more or less random. For others, it's deeply personal.

You can count new Utah Jazz guard Patty Mills among the latter.

Mills introduces himself as "a Gugada Nagyagaou and a Dauer Meriam man." He is a proud descendant of the Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders. Save for 13 games last season with the Miami Heat, he has worn No. 8 for the entirety of his NBA career due to that heritage.

Meriam legend states that Malo, a deity-like figure, traveled east across the Torres Strait from New Guinea to Mer. When Malo arrived at the island, he took the form of an octopus and gave his law to the eight Mer tribes.

"I'm from one of those tribes," Mills said. "For me to wear the No. 8, just like my uncle did, I feel like I'm representing my family and my people back home in Australia."

Mills also quickly connected the number to Utah, as well, pointing out how the state is home to eight sovereign tribal nations: Confederated Tribes of Goshute, Navajo Nation, Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, San Juan Southern Paiute, Skull Valley Band of Goshute, White Mesa Community of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and Ute Indian Tribe.

"When you're in a spiritual culture like that, you find a lot of relevance and connections with numbers and the land and the sky and the mountains and oceans," he said. "So I think it just plays a little bit deeper into playing with a lot more passion and pride."

There was a slight problem, however: Brice Sensabaugh was already wearing No. 8 for the Jazz.

"Hey mate, are you attached to the No. 8?" Mills remembered calling and asking the second-year Jazz guard

That query began conversations that allowed the two players to bond on a deeper level.

Mills shared why the number was so personal for him, sharing the story of his heritage and family. And Sensabaugh got to practice his own faith by giving the number to MIlls.

"I think God told me to give it up to him," Sensabaugh said. "I've learned not to hold tightly onto Earthly things too much. I believe that we have eternal life after this game of basketball, so the number didn't really mean that much to me. I was able to put whatever aside and just give it up to him."

Sensabaugh chose No. 28 for his new number. It's likely not a coincidence that the Ohio State product was the 28th selection in the 2023 NBA draft.

"He felt like he should have been picked at a higher pick than what he did," Mills said. "I think going to No. 28 is a little nod to that — a fire in the belly."

The number exchange was a positive experience for both players and provided a reason for them to connect in the offseason.

The Utah Jazz brought Mills in to be a veteran leader in the locker room and to pass down some wisdom to a young squad. With some offseason conversations about the meaning of a number, a mentorship has already started.

"My role here is very clear on what I'm trying to do," Mills said. "It's just being able to help these guys and guide them throughout the course of a long NBA season and to set them up for future success."

Added Sensabaugh: "He's my guy now."

That said, Mills did hint that something will be coming Sensabaugh's way for agreeing to hand over the number.

"I'll look after him," Mills said. "I won't ruin the surprise just yet, but I'll let you know."

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