The San Antonio Spurs will honor the last member of their “big three” by retiring Tony Parker’s No. 9 in the rafters before their game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Tim Duncan’s number was retired in 2016, Manu Ginobili’s number was retired in 2018 and now Parker will become the 10th player in Spurs’ franchise history to have his jersey retired.
Parker’s career accomplishments:
- 6x All-Star (2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014)
- 4x NBA champion (2003, 2005, 2007, 2014)
- NBA Finals MVP (2007)
- 4x All-NBA Team (2009, 2012, 2013, 2014)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (2002)
- FIBA EuroBasket MVP (2013)
- 4x EuroBasket Medalist (Gold-2013, Silver-2011, Bronze-2005, 2015)
- Ninth highest-scoring player in NBA playoff history (4,045 points)
Former and current players, as well as coaches, have shown love to Parker on his special night.
After shootaround on Monday, Patty Mills said he expects the Spurs to play their hearts out for Parker.
“We are going to play for Tony tonight,” Mills said. “Even if you played with him or not, the right way to honor him is to play our hearts out tonight, play hard, compete, execute. I think Tony would definitely enjoy that.”
Mills was Parker’s backup point guard for about seven seasons.
“I think I was the longest backup point guard he had, and he was very open arms about showing me the ropes of playing that particular position here in this environment,” Mills said. “I get along with him very well off the court. I think it’s one of those relationships that will last a long time…I was his backup point guard, and that was my role – to have his back.”
