Larry Nance Jr. to wear dad’s number with Cavaliers
After paying tribute to his dad during the dunk contest, Larry Nance Jr. will wear the number his dad wore with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Part of the re-tooling of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ roster brought forward Larry Nance Jr. from the Los Angeles Lakers, and he initially chose to wear No. 24 for his new team. His father wore No. 22 for the Cavaliers, but it was retired and hangs in the rafters at Quicken Loans Arena.
The elder Nance won the first Slam Dunk contest at All-Star Weekend in 1984, as a member of the Phoenix Suns. Nance Jr. participated in the contest this year and paid tribute by wearing a replica of his dad’s Suns’ uniform, and the No. 22.
Before the Cavaliers’ game against the Washington Wizards, Nance Jr. told the media he’ll be wearing No. 22 starting next week.
"I’ll be wearing No. 22 from here on out, “My dad’s jersey will get to stay retired in the rafters, so, I couldn’t be happier with it. I think that starts next week, and I’m thrilled. I’ve been wearing 22 my whole life, and to get to wear it for the Cleveland Cavaliers is beyond a dream come true."
Larry Nance Jr. just announced before the game that he’ll start wearing his dad’s No. 22 starting next week. Nance Sr.’s No. 22 banner will still hang in The Q when he wears it. Tonight he’ll still be in No. 24.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 22, 2018
Nance Sr.’s number will remain retired by the Cavaliers, with a special exception made for his son. Number swaps midseason are generally not allowed, but the Cavs front office and marketing department collaborated with the league office and Nike to acknowledged Nance Jr.’s special situation as a legacy to allow it.
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Nance Sr. is the Cavaliers’ all-time leader in blocks per game, and he’s got the third-best field goal percentage in franchise history. Advanced stats like him too, as he’s tied for second in Cavaliers history in VORP (Value Over Replacement Player) and sixth in Defensive Win Shares. Nance Jr. has time to elevate his status in Cavaliers’ lore, but he’ll have a hard time reaching his father’s status.