Elton Brand announces retirement from NBA
Philadelphia 76ers center Elton Brand announced his retirement from the NBA on Thursday.
Brand will officially retire at the conclusion of the preseason, according to CSNPhilly's Jessica Camerato.
The former No. 1 overall pick spent time with the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers, Sixers, Dallas Mavericks, and Atlanta Hawks over 17 seasons, averaging 15.9 points and 8.5 rebounds in 1058 career games.
"After 17 years of playing the game that I love, I'm officially retiring this time. It's for real this time," Brand told reporters. "It's been a wonderful journey. I'd like to certainly thank the wonderful organizations I've been a part of - the Chicago Bulls, Clippers, and the Sixers, of course."
While once one of the most feared big men in the game, Brand's game quickly declined as he entered his mid-30s, averaging just 4.1 points and 3.7 rebounds for Philadelphia this past season.
With Brand retired, only six players remain who were drafted in the prior millenium - Vince Carter, Manu Ginobili, Dirk Nowitzki, Paul Pierce, Jason Terry, and Metta World Peace.
Philadelphia will likely owe the $1 million that was guaranteed on Brand's contract this season, according to The Vertical's Bobby Marks.