Through the 2024-25 season, the Los Angeles Lakers have had a total of 506 players suit up for them, going back to their days in Minneapolis. Some were forgettable, some were serviceable, some were good and a select few were flat-out legendary.
During the Lakers’ 80th season of existence (they were founded back in 1946 as the Detroit Gems in the National Basketball League), LeBron Wire is taking a look at each player who has worn their jersey, whether it has been a purple and gold one or the ones they donned back in the Midwest during their early years.
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Decades ago, Mel Gibson once played for the Lakers. No, not the controversial actor known for his roles in movies such as the “Lethal Weapon” series and for also directing “Braveheart.” The team took a 6-foot-3 guard with the same name out of Western Carolina University in the second round of the 1963 NBA Draft.
He played one season with the Lakers and averaged 1.4 points, 0.4 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 5.9 minutes a game while appearing in nine contests. He later went on to serve as the head coach at Charleston Southern University and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers jersey history No. 15 — Mel Gibson
