Tim Duncan's number will forever hang in the AT&T Center rafters.
The San Antonio Spurs will retire the big man's No. 21 jersey Dec. 18 when the team hosts the New Orleans Pelicans, the team announced Wednesday.
A special postgame ceremony honoring Duncan is also scheduled to take place.
The first overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft, Duncan led a 19-year storybook career in San Antonio that included five NBA championships, two MVP awards and 15 NBA All-Star nods. The future Hall of Famer will become the eighth Spurs player in franchise history to have his number raised, joining Bruce Bowen (12), Sean Elliott (32), George Gervin (44), Avery Johnson (6), Johnny Moore (00), David Robinson (50) and James Silas (13).
MORE: Classic photos of Tim Duncan