By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 23:07 BST, 21 September 2026 | Updated: 23:07 BST, 21 September 2026
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Versatile forward Nicolas Batum is retiring following an 18-year NBA career and a long stint with the French national team.
The 37-year-old Batum announced his retirement in [a social media video](https://x.com/nicolas88batum/status/2102067098428018955/video/1) with his son on Monday.
"I decided to retire from basketball for several reasons," Batum told 10-year-old son, Ayden, in the video. "I want to come home and be with you. I´m going to take care of you and make room for others. I think I´ve done my time. My time with France ended two years ago. And the NBA is over too. You know, when you´ve played as much basketball as I have, at some point, you have to know when to stop. ... I´ve done everything I needed to do."
Batum played two seasons in the French league before being selected in the first round of the NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. The 6-foot-7 forward spent seven seasons in Portland before playing the next six with Charlotte.
Batum spent most of his final six seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, with a short stint in Philadelphia in 2023-24. He also was a stalwart on French national teams that won silver medals in the 2020 and 2024 Olympics.
Batum averaged 9.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists while shooting 37% from 3-point range during his NBA career.
FILE - Los Angeles Clippers' Nicolas Batum looks on during an NBA basketball game, Nov. 17, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
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