### Rudy Gay Announces Retirement After 17-Year NBA Career

Veteran NBA forward Rudy Gay has officially announced his retirement, concluding a notable 17-season career in the league. In a heartfelt article for "The Player's Tribune," Gay, 38, reflected on his journey, expressing gratitude for the experiences and relationships he cultivated during his time on the court.

Selected eighth overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2006 NBA Draft, Gay was immediately traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. He made an impressive rookie debut, averaging 10.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, earning him third place in Rookie of the Year voting and a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

Throughout his career, Gay played for five teams: the Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz, and Toronto Raptors. His journey in the NBA was marked by significant achievements; he was one of only four players, along with Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, and Chris Paul, to average 10 or more points per game from 2006-07 to 2020-21.

Gay’s career saw him moving between teams, including trades to the Raptors and then to the Kings within an 11-month span during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons. However, his tenure with the San Antonio Spurs was marred by a ruptured Achilles tendon in January 2017, an injury that significantly impacted his gameplay in subsequent seasons.

His last NBA appearance was with the Utah Jazz during the 2022-23 season. In his retirement announcement, Gay revealed the challenges of accepting the end of his professional career and his eagerness to embrace the future with gratitude and optimism for what lies ahead.

In addition to his NBA career, Gay had a distinguished college journey at UConn where he earned several accolades, including Big East Rookie of the Year and First-Team All-Big East. He also contributed to the U.S. national team, helping secure gold medals at the FIBA World Cup in 2010 and 2014.

With a career defined by resilience, talent, and consistent performance, Rudy Gay leaves a lasting legacy in the NBA and the sport of basketball.