*After 14 seasons in the NBA, Blake Griffin announced his retirement from basketball in a statement released on social media Tuesday.
“I never really envisioned myself as the guy who would have a ‘letter to basketball’ retirement announcement,” Griffin wrote on April 16, Vibe reports.
“And I’m still not going to be that guy. But as I reflected on my career, the one feeling I kept coming back to and the one thing I wanted to express was thankfulness,” he continued.
“I’m thankful for every single moment — not just the good ones: the wins, the awards, the dunks, and the memorable times spent with family, friends, fans, teammates, and coaches,” Griffin wrote.
“I could continue on about the people in my life who have contributed immensely to my career, but in this short non-letter, I have to acknowledge my parents, Tommy and Gail, and my brother, Taylor, for their unconditional support and guidance. Lastly, my agent Sam Goldfeder, who has been a steadfast voice of reason and my wartime consigliere — thank you.”
Fin pic.twitter.com/OCFAuAt0sl
— Blake Griffin (@blakegriffin23) April 16, 2024
After graduating from the University of Oklahoma, the Los Angeles Clippers chose Griffin as the top overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. Despite missing the 2009-10 season due to injury, Griffin made his NBA debut during the 2010-11 season. He played with the Clippers, Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets, and Boston Celtics throughout his career.
“All of these experiences made my 14 years in the league truly unforgettable, and I can’t help but to just feel thankful,” Griffin stated in his open letter.
“The game of basketball has given me so much in this life, and I wouldn’t change a thing. Last but certainly not least, here comes the obligatory ‘I’m excited for my next chapter’ part: just kidding, I’m done,” he concluded.
Read his full statement via the Twitter post above.
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