Miami Heat Officially Reveal Klay Thompson's Jersey Number

MIAMI, Fla. – The Miami Heat officially announced the Klay Thompson signing on Sunday night, following a buyout with the Dallas Mavericks and clearing waivers, plus revealing that No. 11 is returning.

In a press release, President Pat Riley elaborated on adding the four-time NBA Champion to the roster:

“Klay is one of the most iconic players to ever suit up in the NBA,” said President Pat Riley. “A four-time battle tested World Champion who will fit perfectly into his role as an all-around player at both ends of the court. We all talk about his shooting skill, but there is so much more he brings to the game. We are blessed that Klay chose the HEAT in our quest to challenge for championships.”

Thompson wore No. 31 with the Mavericks over the last couple of seasons. He wore it to honor Hall of Famer and three-point specialist Reggie Miller. Thompson wore No. 11 upon entering the league in the 2011-12 season. Ironically enough, he was the No. 11 pick, selected by the Golden State Warriors in the 2011 draft class.

Following a productive rookie season, it didn’t take long for Thompson to make himself known around the league. He played a critical role in the Warriors’ dynasty run of winning four championships in eight years. In the midst of making history, Thompson was made five All-Star teams, Second Team All-Defense, and two All-NBA teams. He once finished short of the top -10 (11) in Defensive Player of the Year voting.

Thompson is considered among the best three-point shooters in league history. He currently has the fourth-most made shots from behind the arc – 2,899. Thompson’s deep range made him a priority for the Heat this offseason. He signed a two-year, $13 million contract, with a player option for the 2027-28 season.

In Giannis Antetokounmpo’s introductory press conference, he revealed the reason for switching to No. 7 was to leave No. 34 with the Milwaukee Bucks and fully embrace a new chapter. Thompson appears unlikely to undergo the same path choice.

No. 11 was a part of several historic moments:

- Jan. 23, 1015: 37 points in one quarter against the Sacramento Kings

- Dec. 5, 2016: A career-high 60 points against the Indiana Pacers

- Oct. 29, 2018: Most three-pointers made (14) in a single game (both regular seasons and playoffs) against the Chicago Bulls

- Jan. 3, 2019: 43 points on four dribbles against the New York Knicks

- Jan. 9, 2022: First game back, recovering from left ACL and right Achilles tendon tears

Although Thompson isn’t in his prime, the 36-year-old can still be impactful for a championship contender. Whether he starts or comes off the bench will likely be determined in training camp. Thompson is the fourth player with championship experience the Heat retained or added this offseason. Looking to compete against a heavy Eastern Conference, the pedigree could be the biggest difference for the 2026-27 season.

Anthony Aguirre covers the Miami Hurricanes, Miami Heat, and Miami Marlins for Roundtable Sports. Contact info for tips/info: [email protected] & 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports