Open Thread: Devin Vassell is the newest Spurs #24

By now you are aware that the San Antonio Spurs signed Devin Vassell with the eleventh pick in the NBA Draft.

As he did in college at Florida State, the young swingman will wear #24:

Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images

#24 is a fairly fresh number by Spurs standards. It is not a commonly used or chosen jersey. In fact, since the Dallas Chaparrals made the trip south to San Antonio, only nine players have worn the double-dozen:

Mack Calvin

San Antonio Spurs

Mack Calvin wore it during his thirty-five game stint during the 1976-1977 season. Calvin played for three teams that year.

Jim Eakins wore it during sixteen games he suited up for during is thirty-two day run with the Silver & Black during the autumn of 1977.

John Lambert donned the 24 during his twenty-one games in 1982.

Johnny Dawkins

Seattle Supersonics vs. San Antonio Spurs Photo by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images

Dawkins was the first #24 to play with the Spurs for a significant amount of time. Drafted #10 by San Antonio in the 1986 draft and represented the Spurs in the Slam Dunk Contest in his rookie season. From 1987-1989, Dawkins was the Spurs starting point guard and averaged thirteen points per game over his three seasons. Known for his quickness, Dawkins could light it up during the Spurs worst era.

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Dwayne Schintzius

San Antonio Spurs Photo by Jon Soohoo/NBAE via Getty Images

Dwayne Schintzius (along with his glorious mullet) was the Spurs’ first round draftee in 1990. The 24th pick, Schintzius only spent one season with the Fiesta version of the Silver & Black. Schintzius revealed that Spurs’ Bob Bass did not like his mullet, lovingly referred to as “the lobster” and implored him to cut it. Once he did, the Florida big man send the clippings to Bass.

Lloyd Daniels

San Antonio Spurs

Undrafted guard Lloyd “Sweet Pea” Daniels spent longer with the San Antonio Spurs than any of his other stops in the NBA. A journeyman from the get-go, Daniels spent two season with Spurs when head coach Jerry Tarkanian (who coached him at UNLV) brought him to San Antonio. Daniel’s path was littered with struggle, but the talented New Yorker found his path and made his own mark in the NBA despite huge odds.

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Richard Jefferson

Phoenix Sun v San Antonio Spurs Photos by D. Clarke Evans/NBAE via Getty Images

Richard Jefferson, considered by many to be the Spurs worst trade, is the most bnotorious #24. His arrival sent Bruce Bowen, Kurt Thomas, and Fabricio Oberto to the Milwaukee Bucks. The experiment failed as Jefferson never really gelled with the Spurs and his numbers dipped significantly. He was traded three season later to the Golden State Warriors for “Captain” Stephen Jackson.

Malcolm Thomas

Milwaukee Bucks v San Antonio Spurs Photos by D. Clarke Evans/NBAE via Getty Images

Malcolm Thomas who spent some time with the D-League Austin Toros played one game for the San Antonio Spurs on January 19, 2014 before being waived four days later. This was his second stint with the Spurs. During the 2011-12 season he played three games as #23.

Andre Miller

San Antonio Spurs v Oklahoma City Thunder - Game Six Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images

As the Spurs made a big push for Tim Duncan’s final season, they shook things up late in the season in hopes of bringing some veteran experience to the roster for a deep postseason run. Kevin Martin and Andre Miller were brought in to replace Rasual Butler and Ray McCallum respectively. Miller wore #24 in his eighteen games. Miller’s #24 from his college days with the Utah Utes is retired.

And now Spurs fans wait with bated breath to watch as Devin Vassell, the newest #24 takes to the hardwood and joins the Silver & Black for what is gearing up to be the most interesting season in quite some time.


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