If Gilbert Arenas’ career was divided into timelines, it would be marked by two numbers – 0 and 9. Between switching his jersey numbers under Washington Wizards, he had built his legacy as Agent Zero. Till an offcourt incident changed the trajectory of his career. Gilbert Arenas went for a fresh start to make it up to the city that gave so much love to Agent Zero. Over a decade since then, those feelings still run deep.

During his recent appearance on Real Ones, he spoke about how much Washington had made #0 meaningful to him. “I think just the personality became better than player himself,” Arenas refers to his entire era wearing zero.

Arenas wore #0 from the start of his NBA career when the Golden State Warriors selected him in 2001. He wasn’t very productive in the first season. He saw more minutes in his sophomore season, but he really gained notoriety when he came to the Washington Wizards in 2003. Apart from leading the team in PPG and APG, his offcourt quirkiness made him the face of the franchise. “The city embraced it, and I embraced the city,” he said.

Then things went downhill nine seasons into his career. “The only negative thing I had for DC wasn’t me to them, in a sense that I’m mad at them. I was more embarrassed,” Arenas says to Bernthal. He refers to the 2009 incident when he carried a firea*m to the locker room leading to his suspension and detention. And yes, the city didn’t take it well and Arenas is disappointed in himself for letting them down.

“When the g*n thing happened, it was more me. I was ashamed, and I was embarrassed of what happened, and like, ‘Damn, you guys believed in me and you guys had me here and I let you guys down.”

The weight of disappointment was so heavy, Arenas couldn’t wear #0 that was so loved by the city anymore. “I don’t want to be seen… I don’t want the legacy of zero, that jersey to have that on it.” So as history went, Arenas returned to the Wizards after his suspension wearing #9. Which was surprising in itself.

Gilbert Arenas’ decision was a head-scratcher

A glance at 2010 coverage on the matter showed the move was confusing to outsiders. Many didn’t think it would alter Arenas’ career trajectory. Some still saw him as Agent Zero. His friend and fan, Jeff Teague felt almost betrayed by the switch. 

The choice of #9 was baffling and unexplained too. There was speculation he was considering #6 briefly and even #13 for his mother who passed away on March 13. He ultimately settled for #9. Former Nets #9 Yi Jianlian had just been traded to the Wizards in 2010 and had to switch to #31 to accommodate Arenas.

Despite others not understanding how important it was for Arenas, he wanted to “ditch” the negative associations with zero and continue as #9. He’d go on play in Orlando, Memphis, and overseas a season after the number switch. However, DC still remains “beautiful” to him for his time there.