Taj Gibson is calling time on his NBA career, but he won’t be walking away from basketball.
After 17 seasons in the league, Gibson announced his retirement on Monday and is reportedly returning to where it all began, joining the Chicago Bulls as an assistant coach under new head coach Tiago Splitter, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
“Today is a very emotional day for me. After 17 seasons in the NBA, I can honestly say I gave this game everything I had,” Gibson wrote on social media. “Basketball gave me the opportunity to live a dream. As a kid from Brooklyn, NY, I was lucky to get a chance to display my talent on the biggest stage. From Fort Greene Projects to USC, to the Chicago Bulls, and every team and city that came after, I’m grateful for every moment, every teammate, every coach, and every person who believed in me.
“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 … After 31 years of basketball, I can walk away with no regrets, knowing I left everything on the floor. God has truly blessed me.”
The 41-year-old was selected by Chicago with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft and spent more than seven seasons with the franchise.
Gibson earned All-Rookie honors and later finished runner-up for Sixth Man of the Year in 2013-14 after averaging 13 points and 6.8 rebounds.
After leaving Chicago, Gibson went on to play for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets and Memphis Grizzlies.
He appeared in 10 games for Memphis last season, becoming just the 35th player in NBA history to play in the league in his 40s. Gibson was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans earlier this month but has instead decided to end his playing career.
Now, his next chapter takes him straight back to Chicago.
Gibson will join Splitter’s staff as the Bulls look to rebound from a 31-51 season and return to the playoffs, according to Yahoo Sports.
More than 17 years after Chicago drafted him, Gibson is heading back to the Bulls, this time from the bench.
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