San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Tuesday that the team plans to retire the No. 6 worn by Avery Johnson.
Johnson, now coach of the Dallas Mavericks, played 16 seasons in the NBA and spent all or part of 10 seasons with the Spurs. He was with the team for its 1999 title run.
"We're going to retire A.J.'s jersey for all the obvious reasons," Popovich said. "He's been very, very important to the history of San Antonio basketball. He's a championship player. He was a wonderful leader while he was here."
The retirement ceremony for the number worn by the 5-foot-11 guard will take place Dec. 22 when the Spurs play the Los Angeles Clippers, the Mavericks said Tuesday.
"He deserves it, it's going to be a fun night," Popovich added.