Tim Duncan retires after 19 seasons, five NBA titles with Spurs

San Antonio Spurs forward and surefire Hall of Famer Tim Duncan announced his retirement Monday after 19 seasons with the team.

The first pick of the 1997 draft, Duncan helped the Spurs achieve an era of prosperity, winning at least 50 games in each of the last 17 seasons. Not only did Duncan help the team win five titles, he’s the first in history to win a title in three different decades. He tops off his career with averages of 19.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.2 blocks.

Duncan had a player option for next season, Monday’s announcement ending weeks of speculation about his future.

The NBA world went out of its way to thank the greatest power forward of all time:

Duncan goes out as he entered—quiet and with the team first. His retirement tour fell well behind the spectacle owned by Kobe Bryant this year. Over the past few seasons he willingly fell into a bench role, allowing the next generation of Spurs stars such as Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge to blossom.

Duncan’s 19-year career seems long, but his reach and impact on the sport—all sports, really—will stretch much longer.

About Chris Roling

Chris is an Ohio University E.W. Scripps School of Journalism graduate and associate editor here at TSD. He also covers breaking news and the NFL at Bleacher Report and resides in Athens (OH) with his wife and two dogs.

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