In a surprising announcement on Tuesday, former NBA star Blake Griffin revealed that he is retiring from professional basketball after a successful career spanning 14 seasons. Griffin, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft, made a lasting impact on the court and earned numerous accolades throughout his career.

Making his retirement announcement on X (formerly known as Twitter), Griffin shared a post with a simple one-word caption, "Fin." Alongside the caption was a graphic containing the words that symbolized the conclusion of his NBA journey.

Reflecting on his career, Griffin expressed gratitude for his time in the league. In his retirement post, he stated, "I never envisioned myself as the guy who would have a 'letter to basketball' retirement announcement... and I'm still not going to be that guy. But as I reflected on my career, the one feeling I kept coming back to and the one thing I wanted to express was thankfulness."

During his career, Griffin, now 35 years old, played for multiple teams. He spent over half of his career with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he became a legend of the "Lob City" era. Alongside teammates Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan, Griffin helped transform the Clippers' franchise from a laughingstock into an exciting team known for their high-flying style of play. His athletic dunking abilities made them must-watch TV.

However, Griffin's career was not without its challenges. He battled injuries and underwent several surgeries, which he acknowledged in his retirement post. Despite these setbacks, Griffin remained resilient, constantly adapting and improving his game. Throughout his career, he averaged 19.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, showcasing his versatility on the court.

Griffin made a noteworthy impact in the NBA, earning six NBA All-Star selections and being named to the All-NBA team five times. He emerged as a force to be reckoned with in his rookie season, winning the Rookie of the Year award after averaging 22.5 points and 12.1 rebounds per game.

"The game of basketball has given me so much in this life, and I wouldn't change a thing," expressed Griffin as he concluded his retirement post. With a touch of humor, he added, "Last but certainly not least, here comes the obligatory 'I'm excited for my next chapter' part - just kidding, I'm done."

As Blake Griffin hangs up his basketball sneakers, fans and fellow players alike salute his memorable career, recognizing his contributions to the game. His retirement marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in his life beyond the court.