In a recent interview with Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News, Gorgui Dieng, a 10-year NBA veteran, confirmed his official retirement from professional basketball. Dieng, who was once the first-overall pick, enjoyed a successful career playing for several teams including the Minnesota Timberwolves, Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs, and Atlanta Hawks.
NBA Veteran Gorgui Dieng Announces Official Retirement
During his time in the league, Dieng established himself as a valuable player, both as a high-level starter and a reserve big man. One standout season for him was in 2016-17 when he started all 82 games for the Timberwolves, averaging an impressive 10.0 points per game (PPG) and 7.9 rebounds per game (RPG).
Gorgui Dieng has officially retired
(Via San Antonio Express-News) pic.twitter.com/0FGvsl4DOQ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 9, 2023
Dieng’s most recent appearance in the NBA was with the San Antonio Spurs last season. He played in 31 games, starting one and coming off the bench for the remaining 30. Despite limited playing time, Dieng continued to showcase his professionalism and dedication to the game.
Before his stint with the Spurs, Dieng spent parts of two seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies. In the 2019-20 season, he played 17 games for the Grizzlies, followed by another 22 games in the 2020-21 season. Throughout his time in Memphis, Dieng embraced his role as a bench big, demonstrating his versatility and adaptability as a player.
Now that Dieng has officially retired, he has transitioned to a new phase of his basketball career. He has joined the coaching staff of the San Antonio Spurs under the guidance of renowned coach Gregg Popovich. Despite being just 33 years old, Dieng has made the decision to step away from playing professionally. While he could have potentially continued his career as a player, he is ready to explore the coaching side of the game.
Gorgui Dieng’s retirement marks the end of an era for a player who made significant contributions to the teams he played for. His dedication, versatility, and professionalism throughout his career have left a lasting impact on the NBA.
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Entering a new chapter, Dieng joins the coaching staff of the San Antonio Spurs, bringing his experience and passion for the game to contribute to its growth and development.
