Credit USA Today Sports – Scanpix
NBA veteran forward Taj Gibson has retired with his new role in the league named.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Gibson is finishing his playing career and returning to the Chicago Bulls, where he started his career, to serve as an assistant coach under Tiago Splitter.
The 41-year-old was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, who were set to waive him, from the Memphis Grizzlies where he spent the past few months.
Gibson played 10 games last season averaging 3.4 points and 2.7 rebounds across almost 10 minutes per game.
Taj Gibson's NBA career
Taj Gibson was selected with the 26th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. He joined the team led by sensational guard Derrick Rose.
Gibson was immediately a big part of the team averaging 27 minutes per game in his first year. He had his best years with the Bulls and later with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Arguably, his best season came in 2013-14, when he held the averages of 13.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.3 blocks. He had a productive playoff series against the Washington Wizards in 2014, averaging 18.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in five games.
Gibson has also had stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, Wizards, Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets and Grizzlies.