New San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet has revealed the clever reason behind his jersey number choice, and it’s all about honoring franchise icon Tim Duncan.
Kornet, who signed a four-year, $41 million deal with the Spurs last week, will wear No. 7 in San Antonio after rocking No. 40 with the Boston Celtics since 2022.
When asked about the switch, the 29-year-old explained his thought process in a way that had the room laughing.
“I’ve never worn the number before,” Kornet said. “Honestly for me, I feel like I’m in a time of life where me and my family, seven is a big number of covenant and fulfillment and order and the faith. That’s kind of what called me to it. The secondary reason was I just hope to be a third of the player that Tim Duncan was.”
Duncan, of course, famously wore No. 21 during his legendary career with the Spurs, a number retired by the franchise. Kornet’s math checks out: one-third of 21 is seven.
“I love multiples, factors,” Kornet added. “Break it all down.”
Newest #Spurs big man Luke Kornet cracks that he chose #7 because he wants to be a third of the player Tim Duncan was.
Added that he loves multiples & factors. pic.twitter.com/ygvu93g2nE
— Nate Ryan (@nateryansports) July 7, 2025
The 7-foot-2 big man joins San Antonio after a breakout stint in Boston, where he averaged 6.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.0 block per game in 73 appearances last season.
“I’m grateful for all the time I had in Boston,” Kornet said. “I feel like it was a really appropriate place for the last several years. Grateful for all the opportunity that it was. But I just kind of felt led, and then I feel like throughout the process I just felt like San Antonio was really the place that had everything we’d hope for and felt peaceful in it.”
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