TBT: Tim Duncan when he was just a draft prospect

After five NBA championships, two MVP awards, 15 All-Star Games and 19 seasons with the Spurs, Tim Duncan decided it was time to call it a career.

Duncan has been around for so long, it's hard to believe he was ever anything other than San Antonio's star forward -- but, like all other players, there was a time when he was simply a draft prospect.

As a child living in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Duncan was actually a skilled swimmer. He switched to basketball around ninth grade and quickly attracted the attention of multiple colleges. Ultimately, he selected Wake Forest University in North Carolina.

See photos from throughout Tim Duncan's career:

Duncan stayed in college for a full four years and was twice named ACC Player of the Year. He also became the first player in NCAA history to reach 1,500 points, 1,000 rebounds, 400 blocked shots and 200 assists.

In the 1997 draft, the San Antonio Spurs selected Duncan first overall. He remained with the team for his entire career and earlier this week, at 40 years old, announced his retirement.