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San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili announced his retirement from the NBA on Monday.
Today, with a wide range of feelings, I'm announcing my retirement from basketball. IMMENSE GRATITUDE to everyone (family, friends, teammates, coaches, staff, fans) involved in my life in the last 23 years. It's been a fabulous journey. Way beyond my wildest dreams. pic.twitter.com/3MLCUtmd6K
— Manu Ginobili (@manuginobili) August 27, 2018
The star from Argentina played 23 professional seasons, starting in 1995 with Andino of the Argentinian Basketball League. He was drafted 57th overall in the 1999 NBA Draft by the Spurs, the only NBA team he would ever play for.
Ginobili was a highly effective player in all facets of the game throughout his NBA career. He was selected to the All-NBA Third Team three times despite never averaging 20 points per game, 5 rebounds per game, 5 assists per game, or 2 steals per game in any of his 16 NBA seasons. Instead he was a key factor off the bench for the Spurs, and helped the team to four NBA titles. His best play came in the 2004-2005 season, where he led the Spurs in scoring in six of their playoff games en route to a title win over the Detroit Pistons.
Over his NBA career, Ginobili averaged 13.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.