Manu Ginobili was the man of the night Thursday in San Antonio.
The Spurs honored the future Hall of Famer with a video tribute following the team’s 116-110 win over the Cavaliers and retired his No. 20 jersey to the rafters at AT&T Center.
It’s time.#GraciasManu pic.twitter.com/rieKKjYG5A
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) March 29, 2019
It’s official! No. 20 will live in the rafters forever.#GraciasManu pic.twitter.com/7Hl2KaoOBX
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) March 29, 2019
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich praised the Argentine standout, saying “there were no championships” without Ginobili.
“Without Manu there were no Championships.” – Coach Pop#GraciasManu pic.twitter.com/U43sYDaOf6
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) March 29, 2019
Before Popovich spoke, former teammate Tony Parker roasted Ginobili in front of the roaring crowd.
“You got no more hair now but you had hair back in the day. That was my favorite.” @tonyparker cracks jokes and thanks Manu ahead of his jersey retirement ❤️ pic.twitter.com/SNC7dh5eGg
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 29, 2019
Tim Duncan also shared a hilarious story about hearing Ginobili’s name for the first time.
Tim Duncan shares the story of watching Manu Ginobili get drafted by the Spurs. 😂#GraciasManu pic.twitter.com/ZVTg9BtBRR
— NBA TV (@NBATV) March 29, 2019
Ginobili, 41, was selected by the Spurs in the second round of the 1999 draft but left to play basketball in Europe — where he won two Italian League MVP awards — before coming back for his rookie season in 2002. He spent his entire 16-year NBA career in San Antonio, helping the team win four NBA titles and earning two All-Star selections.
In international play, Ginobili was an Olympic gold medalist for Argentina in 2004 and bronze medalist in 2008.
