New Cleveland Cavaliers big man Larry Nance Jr. will get to honor his dad, after all. The younger Nance, who was acquired by the Cavaliers in the Isaiah Thomas trade, will get to wear the same number that his father wore with the Cavs.
Since the elder Nance had his number 22 retired, special permission was needed. It’s now been received.
Larry Nance Jr. will get to wear dads No. 22 afterall. Will wear 24 next few games and switch next week. #Cavs & Larry Jr. got special approval from NBA
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) February 22, 2018
Larry Nance Sr’s 22 will remain retired and in the rafters at The Q #Cavs
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) February 22, 2018
There is also good news for fans who might have bought Nance’s No. 24 jersey. Once the No. 22 jerseys arrive, fans can exchange the old ones.
If you purchased a No. 24 Larry Nance Jr. jersey, #Cavs spokesman tells me the team will be happy to exchange it for a No. 22 once they arrive in stock. Note, it may take a few weeks.
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) February 23, 2018
Nance Sr. played for Cleveland from 1988 until he retired in 1994. The Cavaliers teams of that era enjoyed some of the greatest success in franchise history before the arrival (and re-arrival) of LeBron James.
Larry Nance Jr. talks about NBA allowing him to wear his dad’s retired No. 22 & #Cavs keeping it in the rafters pic.twitter.com/KkrJeCaznA
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) February 23, 2018