Blake Griffin announces retirement from basketball / News - Basketnews.com

Veteran forward Blake Griffin, who last played for the Boston Celtics, has announced retirement from basketball.

Credit: USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix Credit USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix

Experienced NBA star Blake Griffin has announced that he is retiring from basketball.

In an Instagram post, the 35-year-old forward published a heartfelt letter to fans and those that he is thankful for a 14-year-long NBA career full of accolades.

Griffin last played for the Boston Celtics in the 2022-23 season and has not made a professional basketball appearance since then.

The forward has built up an illustrious career in the NBA since being selected No. 1 in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers, where he played from 2009 to 2018.

He was named the Rookie of the Year in the 2010-11 season, also making it to the All-Rookie First Team and the NBA All-Star in the same year while additionally winning the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

After his long stint with the Clippers, he played for the Detroit Pistons from 2018 to 2021 and had one-season stays with the Brooklyn Nets (2021-22 season) and the Celtics.

Although he never won the NBA in his career, he was named to the All-Star a total of six times and received various citations to the All-NBA Second and Third Teams. His career averages are 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists over 14 seasons.

Full text of Griffin's Instagram post:

I never envisioned myself as the guy who would have a "letter to basketball" retirement announcement ... 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.

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. 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.

I am equally thankful for the not-so-good moments: the losses, the injuries, the wayyyy too many surgeries, the lessons, the heartbreaks, and it wouldn't be sports retirement letter without acknowledging the "haters." All of these experiences made my 14 years in the league truly unforgettable, and I can't help but to just feel thankful.

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.

Thank you.

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