NBA: Spurs to retire Tim Duncan’s jersey

In this June 15, 2014, file photo, San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) celebrates after Game 5 of the NBA basketball finals in San Antonio. Duncan announced his retirement on July 11, 2016, after 19 seasons, five championships, two MVP awards and 15 All-Star appearances. It marks the end of an era for the Spurs and the NBA. AP FILE PHOTO

SAN ANTONIO, United States — Tim Duncan, who played almost two decades with the same team and captured five NBA titles, will have his No. 21 jersey retired by the San Antonio Spurs, the team announced on Wednesday.

The Spurs said the ceremony would take place on December 18 when San Antonio host the New Orleans Pelicans.

READ: Spurs star Tim Duncan retires after 19 seasons

Duncan will become the eighth Spurs player in franchise history to have his number raised to the rafters, joining Bruce Bowen (12), Sean Elliott (32), George Gervin (44), Avery Johnson (6), Johnny Moore (00), David Robinson (50) and James Silas (13).

Duncan and coach Gregg Popovich have the most wins by a player-coach duo in NBA history (1,001) and the forward finished his career in San Antonio as one of just three players in NBA history, along with John Stockton of the Utah Jazz and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, to spend 19 seasons with one franchise.

READ: Duncan breaks silence: ‘When it’s not fun anymore, I’m done’

Duncan, selected by the Spurs as the first overall pick in the 1997 NBA entry draft, helped the franchise post a 1,072-438 regular-season record during his time in San Antonio.

In his NBA career, the 15-time all-star appeared in a total of 1,392 games and averaged 19.0 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists. He shot .506 from the floor and .696 from the free-throw line.  CBB