Jason Kidd, a star point guard who helped the United States win two Olympic gold medals and captured an NBA title with Dallas in 2011, announced his retirement on Monday after 19 seasons in the league.
Kidd, a member of US Olympic championship squads in 2000 and 2008, played for New Jersey, Phoenix and Dallas before closing out his career this past season for the New York Knicks.
“My time in professional basketball has been an incredible journey, but one that must come to an end after 19 years,” Kidd said.
“As I reflect on my time with the four teams I represented in the NBA, I look back fondly at every season and thank each every one of my teammates and coaches that joined me on the court.”
Kidd, who turned 40 last March, had career averages of 12.6 points, 8.7 assists. 6.3 rebounds and 1.93 steals a game — numbers likely to ensure the 10-time NBA All-Star receives a place in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
“Jason’s value to the Knicks and the NBA cannot be quantified by statistics alone,” Knicks general manager Glen Grunwald said.
“Everyone here in New York saw firsthand what a tremendous competitor he is and why Jason is considered to be one of the best point guards, and leaders, the game has ever seen.”
Kidd ranks second on the NBA’s all-time assist list with 12,091 and second in career steals with 2,684, sixth in games played with 1,391, third in minutes played at 50,111 and 3-point baskets at 1,988 and is the NBA’s all-team rebound leader among guards with 8,725.
“Veteran leadership on and off the court was a huge factor for our team,” Knicks coach Mike Woodson said. “Jason provided an incredible voice inside our locker room and I considered it an honor to say I coached him.”
Kidd, who took New Jersey to the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003 but came away without a title, played in 158 career playing games, averaging 12.9 points, 7.8 assists, 6.7 rebounds and 1.91 steals.
Kidd shared 1995 NBA Rookie of the Year honors with Grant Hill, who announced his retirement last Saturday. Kidd was named to the All-NBA Team five times, most recently in 2004, and the NBA All-Defensive team four times, most recently in 2007.
In his final campaign, Kidd averaged 6.0 points, 3.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.64 steals in 76 games.
No more Kidd-ing around: Jason calls it a career
