Longtime NBA forward Danilo Gallinari is retiring from sports, he revealed on Tuesday. Gallinari, 37, spent 16 seasons in the NBA. He was picked sixth by the Knicks in the 2008 draft and would suit up for nine clubs throughout the course of his career.
One of Gallinari’s biggest claims to fame is that he was a centerpiece of the Carmelo Anthony trade package that transferred the superstar scorer from Denver to New York. Gallinari posted the following on social media:
“Today, with a heart full of gratitude, I am announcing my retirement from the career I’ve always dreamed of,”. “It’s been an incredible journey filled with countless memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”
Today, with a heart full of gratitude, I am announcing my retirement from the career I’ve always dreamed of.
It’s been an incredible journey filled with countless memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. 🏀❤️ pic.twitter.com/UjRhTL8ZdP
— DANILO GALLINARI (@gallinari8888) December 2, 2025
Gallinari played 777 games in the NBA. For his career he averaged 14.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. The forward is the second-highest drafted Italian player of all time, behind only Andrea Bargnani.
Before moving to the United States, Gallinari played professionally in Italy for a number of years. After going unsigned in the 2024 offseason, he signed with the Vaqueros de Bayamón of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional Puerto Rican league, where he led his team to a title and was named Finals MVP.
A lengthy and successful NBA career comes to an end. Gallinari most recently played for the Bucks in the NBA during the 2023–24 season, appearing in 17 games before the team was eliminated in the first round of the postseason.
