Larry Nance Jr. to Wear Father's Retired No. 22 with Cavaliers

After donning his father's No. 22 Phoenix Suns jersey during Saturday's Slam Dunk Contest, Cleveland Cavaliers center Larry Nance Jr. will make a permanent number change. 

Per ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin, Nance said on Thursday he would change his jersey from No. 24 to 22 starting next week. 

Nance spoke to reporters about his decision to wear No. 22, per Daryl Ruiter of 95.3 The Fan:

Larry Nance Sr. played seven seasons with the Cavaliers from 1988-94. His No. 22 was retired by the team in 1995.

After his son was acquired by the Cavs in a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 8, Nance Sr. said during an appearance ESPN Radio's Golic and Wingo he wanted him to have his jersey number with the team. 

“Well, it really wasn’t a conversation because as soon as he called me and let me now that he got traded here, I called the Cavs and said, 'He can have the number,'" he said, via USA Today's Alysha Tsuji. "'Please, give him the number.' And I think he was calling, saying, 'My dad deserves to keep that up there.'"

Nance Jr. has only appeared in two games for the Cavs since the deal. He is averaging 8.6 points and 6.8 rebounds in 44 games with Cleveland and Los Angeles this season.