Chris Webber Announces Retirement From NBA

Golden State Warriors forward/center Chris Webber announced his retirement from the NBA this morning at a press conference at ORACLE Arena, closing the final chapter on a 15-year NBA career that included five All-Star appearances and five All-NBA Team selections.

"There have been so many people who have supported me through my career, from players to coaches to fans," said Webber. "I appreciate all the owners, GMs, doctors, equipment managers, trainers, ballkids and staff who not only supported me, but helped propel me to the next level. I do not take your love for granted. I look forward to continuing these relationships in my future basketball and business endeavors."

Webber, 35, finishes his career having averaged 20.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.44 steals, 1.44 blocks and 37.1 minutes per contest in 831 regular-season games with Golden State, Washington, Sacramento, Philadelphia and Detroit. Additionally, he participated in the NBA Playoffs 10 times during his career, appearing in 80 games with averages of 18.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 36.3 minutes per game. Webber earned a spot on the Eastern Conference All-Star squad in 1997 while with Washington and made four-straight appearance on the Western Conference All-Star team as a member of the Sacramento Kings from 2000 thru 2003. He also was a five-time All-NBA selection, having earned first team honors in 2001, second team honors in 1999, 2002, 2003 and third team honors in 2000.

The Detroit, MI, native returned for his second stint with Golden State in 2007-08, having signed as a free agent on January 29, 2008. In nine games this season, the 6-10, 245-pound Webber averaged 3.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 14.0 minutes per contest. Webber's signing with Golden State marked a return to where his NBA career started, as the University of Michigan product spent his rookie season (1993-94) with the Warriors after originally being selected by Orlando with the first overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft and then being acquired by the Warriors in a draft night trade. In his first season playing for the Warriors and head coach Don Nelson, Webber was named NBA Rookie of the Year after averaging 17.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.22 steals and 2.16 blocks.