Tim Duncan has served as the franchise face of the San Antonio Spurs for 19 years and is considered one of the greatest power forwards of all-time. The 1997 first-round draft pick is the only player in NBA history to start and win a national title in three different decades. After a Hall of Fame career, Duncan quietly retired at the end of the 2016 season, even missing his own farewell press conference. On Dec. 18, the Spurs will retire his jersey number, and the St. Edward’s University community offers the following messages to the legendary No. 21.

Thank you for the way in which you went about your 19-year career. To see somebody with zero ego have so much success with a team has been enjoyable and educational. Time after time, you proved that you don’t have to be a selfish, raging jerk to get things done. You just did your job. And had fun doing it. I hope to catch up with you soon at an HEB. You da man.

—Taylor Land, Men’s Basketball Asst. Coach

I can only say thank you. You have been an inspiration to not only myself but an entire city. Having grown up in San Antonio, I don’t have a single basketball memory without you in it. For as long as I have been able to watch and understand basketball, one thing has not changed, and that is you. From the first time I watched you play to your last game, you have inspired me. I was lucky enough to call you my next door neighbor and friend for a few years, and for that I will always be grateful. From your calm demeanor to your inexplicable passion you have shown over the years, I have aspired to be like you. Your humility, graciousness, work ethic, and sincerity has perfectly exemplified what it means not only to be a professional athlete, but also a man. You have provided me with endless memories of triumph and laughter. Memories that have and will forever influence my life. On December 18th, I will be there to share in one last memory with you. Go Spurs Go.

—Arthur Flores

The day we never thought we’d see has finally come. People seemed surprised to hear the news because you never announced your retirement in a ‘big bang’ [kind of way], but then again that’s not your style. Your style is [to be] one of the most humbling players I’ve ever witnessed. You’ve shown me that you can still be respected without the glory and fame. You never needed ESPN to affirm your greatness; all your fans already knew you were a legend. I thank for being one of the biggest reasons for making me love the San Antonio Spurs and not just because I’m from the city. I remember game nights with my dad and ensuring we were there for your warm ups just so I could cheer you on when they announced your name. I’d get so pumped to watch you casually highfive Tony Parker and Manu and do your famous holding of the ball before game time. I recall the night in 2014 when we won for the 5th time honking horns with family and friends in downtown SA screaming “Los Spurs.” Thanks for all the memories Timmy, you’ll be missed but never forgotten because what’s the Spurs without our Tim?

—Lauren Zambrano

You are a legend. You are the epitome of leadership, and the game has not been the same without you. Nonetheless, you greatly contributed to the humble legacy of the San Antonio Spurs. The team has always and will always look up to you. You played with a passion that could never be imitated; you carried the team with your spirit. While you are greatly missed on the court, your spirit has been carried on through your teammates as they aspire to be the player that you were. You’re going down in NBA history, and I am blessed to have watched you play. So thank you, for everything you put into every game, and for being one of the reasons I not only fell in love with basketball, but also with the Spurs.
—Jamie Cardenas

It’s been said that the strength of a leader is seen in how an organization does once the leader has moved on. Your passionate heart is alive and well in the younger players. Thank you for being the best role model anyone can have. Thinking back to some of my favorite childhood memories, those late-night, down-to-the-wire championship games were magical. Often the last voices I’d hear before falling asleep were those of the Spurs commentators analyzing how great you were playing and how effortless you made it look. You are a basketball super hero and I was always amazed by you – not only for how phenomenal you were on the court, but how humble you were off the court. Thank you for motivating me to give my best effort in all that I do.

—Amanda González

I haven’t been a Spurs fan for all that long. But, it didn’t take long for for the Spurs to become my favorite team or for you to become my favorite basketball player. It wasn’t just your acting in the HEB commercials, pranks on Sean Elliott, or even your incredible talent as a player that inspired me. Your passionate heart, humbleness, quiet leadership, and dedication to the team inspired me the most. I think the world would be a better place if we all tried to be the kind of leader you were for the Spurs. Even now that you’re retired, your legacy is going to touch both players and fans for years to come.

—Sabrina Rohwer