After 16 seasons, Rajon Rondo officially announced his NBA retirement.
Rondo, who last played in the 2021-22 season, appeared on the “All the Smoke” podcast and responded quickly when asked if his NBA career is over.
“Absolutely,” Rondo said. “Yeah, I’m done … I can’t. I’d rather spend time with my kids.”
Rajon Rondo has officially announced his retirement from the NBA. 4x All-Star, 3x Assist Champ, 2x Champ, 4x All-Defense. Hell of a career 👏
His next chapter is just getting started. 👀
Watch a special edition of Extra Smoke with @rajonrondo on our YouTube. pic.twitter.com/HSyG0yuoGX
— All the Smoke Productions (@allthesmokeprod) April 2, 2024
Rondo, 38, spent the first eight-plus years of his career with the Celtics and won his first NBA championship with Boston in 2008. He made four straight All-Star appearances (2010-13) during his time with the Celtics.
He went on to play for eight other teams, including the Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers, throughout his 16-year career. Rondo led the NBA in steals per game in 2009-10 and in assists per game three times before claiming his second championship with the Lakers in 2020.
He spent his final season with the Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers and left the NBA with career averages of 9.8 points, 7.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 957 games.
“What a time, it was definitely something that I never took for granted when I was in the game,” Rondo said. “I loved every minute of it, and I appreciate the brotherhood that I was able to share and bond and grow with over the years. I’ve learned so much in this game and it’s made me the man who I am today.
He said he is finishing his degree at the University of Kentucky, where he played college basketball before leaving early to enter the 2006 NBA Draft.
(Photo: David Richard / USA Today)
