Paul George buys up all No. 24 merchandise, donates it to his high school (photos)

Paul George earlier this week was granted permission by the NBA to change his jersey number from 24 to 13. The recovering Indiana Pacers star did so apparently so he could have the nickname, PG-13, which, while pretty clever, is kind of cheesy nevertheless.

Be that as it may, NBA rules typically require a player to buy out all remaining merchandise available featuring the old jersey number if he is changing numbers while remaining a member of the same team, but since George’s request came before an arbitrary deadline, the league reportedly waived that condition.

Even though George did not have to do so to effectuate the jersey number switch, he nevertheless did so anyway. And to help give some meaning to the accumulation of now-dated merchandise, George generously donated all of it to his former high school, Knight High School in Palmdale, Calif.

George tweeted that “Palmdale will always have my heart!” when word began to spread about his thoughtful gesture. A flurry of activity on social media followed — a lot of which George retweeted himself — that indicated that the students and faculty at Knight High School were pretty thrilled with all the free gear.

@Paul_George24 is the real MVP for hooking us up with some shirts pic.twitter.com/LWVzXMQdYq — Diamond Sparkles ✨ (@kristaaaaaaaaal) August 13, 2014

"@Paul_George24: Palmdale will always have my heart!" Throw back to the 2008 staff at KHS. You're in our hearts Paul. pic.twitter.com/LqbwlefBKB — Raymond ❤️ ⚓️ (@CounselorRay) August 13, 2014

"@Paul_George24: Palmdale will always have my heart!" And you have ours ! pic.twitter.com/vQlUBYugQ1 — Cesar. (@MrChubbyC) August 13, 2014

Representing @Paul_George24 today thank you for the jerseys pic.twitter.com/shxT32tWPt — ashley (@_ashley730) August 13, 2014

Paul George thanks man you'll forever be remembered here !!! Get well soon #speedyrecovery @Paul_George24 pic.twitter.com/1wHSG8IIe4 — john basilone (@MrVanpersie) August 13, 2014

@Paul_George24 is the GOAT. Once a Knight Hawk, always a Knight Hawk pic.twitter.com/8n8P6QJrpJ — Empress Wong (@DanielaWong_) August 13, 2014

@Paul_George24 Thank-you For Everything You've given To KHS,We Really hope You Get Better Soon -LoveTheClassof2015 pic.twitter.com/qCo9bwWzYj — Mrs.O'brien (@arlene_chaidez) August 13, 2014

Pretty awesome. The kids look thrilled. Along with all the Pacers fans that are pulling for him as he recovers from his horrible leg injury, odds are everyone at his old high school is hoping he gets well soon, too.

[H/T Bleacher Report]