Marcin Gortat announces retirement

Former NBA center Marcin Gortat confirmed his retirement from basketball in an interview with TVP Info (hat tip to Eurohoops).

“It’s time to end my career,” Gortat said. “I think this is the moment when the year has passed – as I said at the beginning, I give myself a year [off] to see what life will bring me – and it brought me to this decision, that I am going to retire, I’m finishing my professional playing.”

The Polish native played 12 NBA seasons, spending most of his time with the Magic, Suns, and Wizards. His career ended when the Clippers waived him before the end of the 2018/19 season. He had a chance to play in Poland last month, but turned it down because of health concerns.

After being taken with the 57th pick in the 2005 draft, Gortat went on to appear in 806 NBA games. He averaged 9.9 PPG and 7.9 RPG for his career.