Mo Williams explains why he’ll wear No. 52 with the Cavs

Newly signed Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mo Williams will be donning the wine and gold in 2015, but this time, he will be wearing a new number on his uniform: No. 52.

On his decision to choose No. 52, Williams said, “it’s 25 backwards. That’s my family number. I have always wore 25.”

When Williams decided to return to “The Land”, his next decision was to decide what number he would wear. During his previous tenure in Cleveland, he wore No. 2, which is now the number worn by All-Star starting point guard Kyrie Irving. With that number out, his next option was 25, a number that he wore at Alabama and previously with the Utah Jazz, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Minnesota Timberwolves. But No. 25 was also not available because Cavaliers legendary point guard Mark Price’s No. 25 was retired in November, 1999. With 2 and 25 not available, his third option was No. 5, but with the return of J.R. Smith, that number is also taken.

Although No. 52 could look different on a point guard, the 12-year veteran didn’t want to veer far from No. 25 — his favorite number. “If I couldn’t wear something that resembles that 25 number — I have worn 2, 5, 7 (which is 2 plus 5) — now it’s 52. I scored 52 (points) last season. I will set the trend for guards to wear big numbers and be cool,” Williams said, assuredly with a smile.

A number didn’t really matter for Williams, his sole focus of returning to Cleveland is to win a ring and back-up All Star Kyrie Irving. Cleveland will likely see No. 52 a lot this season, along with “the goosey”.