NAGDESISYON na si Taj Gibson sa paglalaro sa NBA makalipas ang 17 seasons.
Huling naglaro sa Memphis Grizzlies si Gibson, naka-10 salang pa siya nitong 2025-26 at naging 35th player sa kasaysayan ng liga na naglaro habang nasa 40s na.
Sa halip na makipaglaban ng roster spot sa kanyang 18th season, nag-retire ang 6-foot-9 power forward/center.
Babalik daw siya sa Chicago kung saan nagsimula ang career bilang isa sa assistants ni head coach Tiago Splitter, base sa ulat ni Shams Charania ng ESPN.
“Today is a very emotional day for me,” post ni Gibson sa social media nitong Lunes. “After 17 seasons in the NBA, I can honestly say I gave this game everything I had.”
No. 26 pick ng Bulls si Gibson noong 2009, nakakuha ng All-Rookie honors sa Chicago at tumapos na panglima sa Rookie of the Year race.
“I wanted to be the guy my teammates could count on someone who brought toughness, energy, leadership, and heart every time I stepped on the court,” dagdag ng 41-year-old na tubong Brooklyn at produkto ng USC. “After 31 years of basketball, I can walk away with no regrets, kniwing I left everything on the floor. God has trully blessed me.”
Higit seven seasons din siya sa Bulls, naging runner-up bilang Sixth Man of the Year noong 2013-14 nang mag-average ng 13 points, 6.8 rebounds per game.
Bago napunta sa Memphis, naglaro din si Gibson sa Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets. (Vladi Eduarte)