Future basketball Hall of Famer Chris Paul was placed on waivers by the Toronto Raptors. In a statement released Friday, Paul confirmed his NBA playing career is over.
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“This is it! After over 21 years I’m stepping away from basketball,” read the statement posted to Paul’s Instagram account. “As I write this, it’s hard to really know what to feel, but for once – most people would be surprised – I don’t have the answer lol!
“But, mostly I’m filled with so much joy and gratitude! While this chapter of being an NBA player” is done, the game of basketball will forever be engrained in the DNA of my life. I’ve been in the NBA for more than half of my life, spanning three decades. It’s crazy even saying that!! Playing basketball for a living has been an unbelievable blessing that also came with lots of responsibility. I embraced it all. The good and the bad. As a lifelong learner, leadership is hard and is not for the weak. Some will like you and many people won’t. But the goal was always the goal, and my intentions were always sincere (Damn, I love competing!!)”
https://twitter.com/MarcJSpears/status/2022367386985480395
Paul retires with an outsized resumé: 12 All-Star Game appearances, 11 All-NBA selections, nine All-Defense nods, a Rookie of the Year Award in 2006, and more than $400 million in career earnings, per Spotrac.
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https://twitter.com/Sportico/status/2022373654340718752
Paul retires with the 15th-most games played (1,370) in NBA history, second among active players only to LeBron James. his 12,552 assists rank second all-time. Only 35 players scored more points in NBA history than Paul’s 23,058.
Paul played 16 games for the Raptors this season, averaging 2.9 points in 14.3 minutes per game off the bench.
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Paul was traded to Toronto on Feb. 5 as part of a three-team trade, but never suited up for the Raptors.
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