At age 41, Ty Gibson decided to bring an end to a remarkable 17-year career in the NBA. He announced his retirement from active play, but is expected to return to the team where he enjoyed his best years on the court: the Chicago Bulls. This time, however, not as their center, but as their assistant coach, working alongside head coach Tiago Splitter.
Gibson was selected by the Bulls in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft, with the 26th overall pick, and spent the first eight seasons of his career in Chicago. He went on to play for seven more teams, continuing to be a reliable and particularly tough big man.
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In total, Gibson made 1,012 regular-season NBA appearances, starting in 462 of those games. Over his career, he averaged 8.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, shooting 51.7% from the field.
“Today is a very emotional day for me. After 17 seasons in the NBA, I can honestly say that I gave this game everything I had,” Gibson said in the post announcing his decision.
“Basketball gave me the chance to live a dream. As a kid from Brooklyn, New York, I was lucky to have been given the chance to showcase my talent on the biggest stage. From the projects in Fort Greene to USC, the Chicago Bulls, and every team and city that followed, I am grateful for every moment, every teammate, every coach, and every person who believed in me.”
Gibson emphasized that throughout his career he strove to be a player his teammates could rely on, bringing toughness, energy, leadership, and passion in every game.
“This isn’t goodbye to basketball. It’s the beginning of a new chapter. After 31 years in basketball, I can walk away with no regrets, knowing that I gave it my all on the court. God has truly blessed me,” he added.
*photo source: AP
