Veteran Rudy Gay announces his retirement after 17 NBA seasons

Rudy Gay is retiring after 17 NBA seasons, the veteran announced Tuesday.

Gay, 38, last played for the Utah Jazz during the 2022-23 season. He signed with the Golden State Warriors last summer but was released shortly before the season.

“I had to humble myself and say, 'Look, this is over,'” Gay wrote in an article for The Players' Tribune on Tuesday. “But actually come to terms with the fact that it's overthis is… a process. One that I honestly still struggle with and struggle with at times. I still watch games and see some of these guys miss a pass or fumble the ball out of bounds, and I'm totally the type to scream at the TV like, “I'm better than that clown.” Are you kidding me ?!?!?' It's not pretty.

“I am 38 years old. For most people's professional lives, this is far from the middle of my career. So from my point of view, I still have a lot of work to do. … In the meantime, I'm just extremely grateful for all the love, wisdom and friendship that I've experienced in the game of basketball.

After starring at UConn, Gay was selected No. 8 overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2006 NBA Draft and was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies a few weeks later, where he was named to the All-Rookie team that season. He ranks fifth in Grizzlies history in points, fourth in minutes played and fourth in games played.

Gay is one of four players, along with Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and LeBron James, to average 10 or more points from the 2006-07 season through the 2020-21 season.

Gay spent much of his career with the Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings, averaging 15.8 points and 5.6 rebounds in 1,120 games (778 starts). He also spent time with the Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs and most recently the Jazz.

“I am the luckiest man in the world,” Gay wrote.