SAN ANTONIO — Before entering the NBA, San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson wore jersey No. 3 at Kentucky and Oak Hills Academy in Virginia.
He picked that jersey number for two reasons.
He is the third child in his family. And, while growing up, his favorite player was the newest member of the Spurs: Chris Paul.
"Growing up, I was the third child," Johnson said. "And when I was growing up, Chris Paul was my favorite player. I watched a lot of his highlights when I was younger."
But with Paul's arrival, many have wondered if Johnson will give up his longtime jersey number to his favorite player who has been wearing No. 3 longer than he has.
The speculation was stirred at Paul's introductory conference, where he didn't hold up a Spurs jersey with 3, or any other number for that matter.
Well, wonder no more.
During a meet-and-greet at South Padre Island, Johnson revealed he is keeping jersey No. 3.
"Are you keeping (jersey No.) 3?" Johnson was asked by a Spurs fan, Victor Juarez.
Said Johnson: "Yeah, I'll be No. 3 next year, for sure."
And there you have it, straight from Johnson himself.
Of course, things could change between now and the start of the new season. Maybe Johnson gives in? Maybe Paul pays Johnson for the number, or the powers that be push him into giving up No. 3 for Paul?
But now, the question becomes: Which new jersey number will Paul pick after wearing it in the NBA for 19 years?
Let us know what you think, Spurs fans. Should Keldon have given up his No. 3 Spurs jersey for the NBA veteran, considering Paul was his favorite player growing up?
Let us know what you think at @KENS5 and @JeffGSpursKENS5