The San Antonio Spurs are going to have a dramatic new feel to them this coming season. That now includes longtime wing Manu Ginobili retiring from the NBA after 16 seasons.
Ginobili took to Twitter on Monday to announce that he’s stepping away from the game.
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
One of the greatest players in Spurs franchise history, Ginobili earned four NBA titles and two All-Star appearances during his time with the team.
Retiring at the age of 41, theĀ ArgentinianĀ had taking on a lesser role in recent seasons. Last year alone, he averaged 8.9 points in just 20 minutes per game.
For the Spurs, this is yet another indication that we’re going to see a vastly different team in 2018-19. Tony Parker left San Antonio in free agency earlier this summer while the team traded All-Star Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors in a blockbuster deal.