Former Grizzlies player Rudy Gay announces retirement after 17-year NBA career

Veteran forward Rudy Gay has officially announced his retirement, ending a remarkable 17-season career in the NBA. ESPN’s Shams Charania shared the news, reporting that the former Utah Jazz player is hanging it up.

Gay was the No. 8 overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, selected by the Houston Rockets. On draft night, he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, where he developed into a versatile scorer and key player.

In his career, Gay averaged 15.8 points and 5.6 rebounds across 1,120 games. He spent time with the Grizzlies, Raptors, Kings, Spurs, and Jazz, leaving a lasting impact at each stop.

The 31-year-old was last seen on the court with the Jazz during the 2022-23 season. Gay signed briefly with the Golden State Warriors last summer but was waived before the season began.

Reflecting on his career in a piece for The Players’ Tribune, Gay described the challenge of retirement. “I needed to humble myself and be like: ‘Look, this is over.’ But actually coming to grips with it being over, that’s … a process. One I’m honestly still dealing with, and struggle with at times,” he wrote.

Known for his consistent scoring, Gay is one of four players to average double figures every season from 2006-07 through 2020-21. He joins an elite group with Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, and LeBron James, known for their steady production.

Gay’s time in Memphis left a mark, where he ranks fifth in points, fourth in minutes played, and fourth in games played in franchise history. He earned All-Rookie honors in his first season with the Grizzlies, further establishing himself as a force in the league.

In retirement, Gay remains optimistic, viewing his next chapter with a sense of purpose. “That’s nowhere even near mid-career for most people’s professional lives,” Gay shared. “So, the way I see it, I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me.”

Gay’s gratitude for the game shines through, as he reflects on the love, wisdom, and friendships basketball has brought him. Concluding his farewell, he expressed, “I’m the luckiest man in the world.”

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Image Credits: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images