SAN ANTONIO — Keldon Johnson, who has admired Chris Paul since childhood, is returning to wearing the No. 3 jersey after Paul’s departure from the San Antonio Spurs. Johnson, who wore No. 3 at Kentucky and most of his <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA career, shifted to No. 0 last season to honor Paul’s longstanding use of the number. Now, with Paul moving on to the Los Angeles Clippers, Johnson has reclaimed the jersey number that holds personal meaning for him.
The Significance Behind the Jersey Number Change
Johnson’s connection to the No. 3 jersey runs deep. Growing up as the third of four children, he adopted the number to reflect that bond and his admiration for Chris Paul, who wore No. 3 throughout his extensive NBA career starting in 2005. During his rookie season, while assigned to the Austin Spurs (the Spurs’ G League affiliate), Johnson temporarily wore No. 0 but otherwise kept to No. 3.
When Paul joined the Spurs for a single season, Johnson willingly switched his jersey to No. 0.
“The whole organization felt like he deserved to wear No. 3,”
Johnson said, emphasizing that the move was made as a sign of respect.
“The whole organization felt like he deserved to wear No. 3,”
—Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs forward
Johnson explained that wearing No. 0 in Austin was like returning to his earlier roots, calling it an “easy choice” for him, and didn’t consider the number change a burden.
“In Austin, I wore No. 0. It was like going back to my roots. It was an easy choice for me.”
—Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs forward
Paul, known for his competitive spirit and leadership on and off the court, responded with a lighthearted comment when asked about the swap:
“It’s all good, we figured it out.”
Chris Paul’s Impact During His Season with the Spurs
Paul contributed significantly during his sole Spurs season, appearing in all 82 games and averaging 8.8 points and 7.4 assists per game. Impressively, he reached second place on the NBA’s all-time assists leaderboard in December, solidifying his legacy. Meanwhile, Johnson embraced a critical sixth-man role, providing the Spurs with energy reminiscent of Manu Ginóbili rather than flashy plays, helping maintain the team’s competitive edge.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson praised Keldon’s intensity and enthusiasm, highlighting how his effort influences those around him.
“He’s the epitome of effort and energy. There’s no substitute for that. It’s infectious. It’s contagious. It makes the guy next to you want to get the job done.”
—Mitch Johnson, Spurs coach
What Reclaiming No. 3 Means for Keldon Johnson Moving Forward
With Paul’s departure to Los Angeles to reunite with the Clippers, Johnson’s re-adoption of the No. 3 jersey carries both sentimental value and a renewed sense of identity. Entering his seventh NBA season, Johnson connects once again with the number that represents his roots and his role model.
“I have tons of respect for Chris. He was one of my role models growing up. He’s been nothing but amazing for me.”
—Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs forward
The return to No. 3 symbolizes a full-circle moment for Johnson, illustrating the respect players show each other through symbolic gestures like jersey numbers. As Johnson continues to grow within the Spurs organization, his choice serves as both a tribute to Paul and a personal recommitment to his own journey in the league.