Nick Van Exel

This navy Golden State Warriors jersey was professionally prepared for guard Nick Van Exel during the 2003–04 NBA season. Although customized for potential use by Van Exel, it is classified as game-issued rather than game-worn. Manufactured by Reebok, the jersey features a glossy navy performance-fabric body with contrasting orange side panels and gold piping. Navy ribbed trim surrounds the arm openings, while the V-neck incorporates navy, orange and gold elements. The front displays the arched “WARRIORS” wordmark in gold with orange and navy detailing. Van Exel’s assigned player number “37” appears below in matching gold twill with an orange border. The embroidered NBA logo is positioned on the upper left chest. The reverse is professionally customized with “VAN EXEL” arranged in an arch across the shoulders and the number “37” positioned below. A small Warriors lightning-bolt emblem appears beneath the back neckline. The player name and numerals are constructed from professionally applied twill and individually stitched to the garment. The lower front carries the Reebok NBA Authentic manufacturer label identifying the jersey as size 46 with an additional two inches of body length. A separate 2003–2004 season tab is attached below the primary manufacturer tagging. The accompanying Golden State Warriors and MeiGray authentication letter confirms that the navy jersey was prepared for use by number 37 Nick Van Exel. It records the garment in the NBA Authentication Database under the unique registration number MGA93407 and is signed by Brandon Schneider of the Golden State Warriors and Barry Meisel of MeiGray. The certificate contains an apparent typographical rendering of the season as “2004-04.” The jersey’s original 2003–2004 season tag, together with Van Exel’s documented single season with Golden State, identifies the correct attribution as the 2003–04 NBA season. No game use is attributed to the garment. Its professional player customization, season-specific tagging, unique database registration and direct Warriors–MeiGray documentation support its classification as an authentic Nick Van Exel Golden State Warriors game-issued jersey.

The 2003–04 season represented Nick Van Exel’s only year with the Golden State Warriors and a transitional period for both the veteran point guard and the franchise. Golden State acquired Van Exel from the Dallas Mavericks in a nine-player trade completed in August 2003. Van Exel, Avery Johnson, Antoine Rigaudeau, Popeye Jones and Evan Eschmeyer were sent to the Warriors, while Dallas received Antawn Jamison, Danny Fortson, Chris Mills and Jiří Welsch. Van Exel arrived in Golden State after playing an important reserve role for a Mavericks team that reached the 2003 Western Conference Finals. He was assigned number “37” by the Warriors, matching his position as the 37th overall selection in the 1993 NBA Draft. The Warriors professionally prepared this navy number “37” jersey for Van Exel during the 2003–04 season. The accompanying Golden State Warriors and MeiGray documentation records the garment in the NBA Authentication Database under number MGA93407. Because the certificate identifies it as prepared for use without documenting game wear, the jersey remains classified as game-issued. Van Exel’s season was limited by injuries. He appeared in 39 games and made 29 starts, averaging 12.6 points, 5.3 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 32.2 minutes per game. His performances included a 29-point game during a home victory over the San Antonio Spurs on November 29, 2003. Under head coach Eric Musselman, the Warriors finished the season with a 37–45 record. The team remained competitive at home, posting a 27–14 record at the Arena in Oakland, but failed to qualify for the playoffs. Jason Richardson led the team in scoring, while Erick Dampier, Clifford Robinson, Mike Dunleavy Jr., Speedy Claxton and Van Exel formed the core of the rotation. Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Van Exel played college basketball at the University of Cincinnati before the Los Angeles Lakers selected him with the 37th overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft. He developed into one of the most recognizable point guards of the 1990s, earning an NBA All-Star selection in 1998. Known for his deep three-point shooting, fearless late-game play and creative passing, Van Exel spent 13 seasons in the NBA with the Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs. He finished his career with averages of 14.4 points and 6.6 assists per game. Following the 2003–04 season, Golden State traded Van Exel to the Portland Trail Blazers. His brief Warriors tenure therefore lasted only one season, making the team-issued uniform pieces prepared specifically for him a distinct and narrowly defined part of his NBA career. This jersey represents Van Exel’s sole season with Golden State and documents the professional preparation of a Warriors uniform for his use. Its 2003–2004 tagging, number “37” customization and Warriors–MeiGray authentication provide a direct connection to this short transitional chapter in his playing career.