Spurs quickly shut down draft pick’s jersey number dream

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Spurs quickly shut down draft pick’s jersey number dream

Originally posted on NBA on ClutchPoints
By Benedetto Vitale, ClutchPoints | Last updated Jun 25, 2026 8:23 PM ET

The San Antonio Spurs used the No. 20 overall pick on former Kentucky Wildcats forward Jayden Quaintance. Upon joining his new team, Quaintance was seemingly hoping to wear No. 21, but he revealed the organization quickly shut that down.

During his introductory press conference, the soon-to-be 19-year-old stated that the Spurs offered him a list of numbers he could choose from, and 21 was not available. Quaintance laughed off the situation, as he likely knew there was virtually no chance he would get to rep No. 21 in San Antonio.

“Nah, [the Spurs] cut that off pretty quickly, I’m not going to lie,” said Quaintance about if he asked to wear No. 21. “As soon as I got drafted, they were like, ‘Here’s a couple number options that you’ll have.’ They killed that dream pretty fast.”

Jayden Quaintance, on if he asked the Spurs about No. 21 after wearing it in college: “Nah, they cut that off pretty quickly, I'm not going to lie. As soon as I got drafted they were like, ‘Here’s a couple number options that you’ll have.’ They killed that dream pretty fast.” pic.twitter.com/7c0iGEfRQK

— Spurs Nation (@Spurs_Nation) June 25, 2026

Jayden Quaintance won’t be wearing No. 21 because that number is retired to team legend and five-time champion Tim Duncan. Considering he is arguably the greatest power forward of all time, Quaintance was never going to rep No. 21 in San Antonio.

While he won’t be wearing his dream jersey number, Quaintance is at least living his dream plying in the NBA. Although he didn’t have much of a chance last season at Kentucky to prove himself as a prospect, as he was limited to just four games due to lingering issues from a torn ACL he suffered at Arizona State in the 2024-25 season.

Even so, Quaintance did show enough for the Spurs to take him in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft. He brings high-level defense to the table and is a tenacious rebounder. But it may take Quaintance some time to adjust to the NBA level. In 28 career games at college, Jayden Quaintance averaged 8.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.0 steals, and 2.4 blocks per game while shooting 52.9% from the floor.

This article first appeared on NBA on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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