Knicks' former first-round pick retires from basketball after two-decade-long career

Knicks' former first-round pick retires from basketball after two-decade-long career originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Basketball careers aren’t meant to last forever.

Eventually, it’ll be time to call it quits and embark on a new journey, which is exactly what a former New York Knicksfirst-round pick decided to do on Tuesday after a two-decade-long career.

"Today, with a heart full of gratitude, I am announcing my retirement from the career I’ve always dreamed of,” Danilo Gallinari stated on X/Twitter.

“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."

Gallinari began his professional career with Casalpusterlengo, Olimpia Milano, and Nuova Pavia before being selected by the Knicks with the No. 6 overall pick in 2008.

While the Sant’Angelo Logdigiano, Italy native improved his scoring each season with the Knicks, the franchise traded him to the Denver Nuggets midway through the 2010-11 campaign via a blockbuster three-team trade.

Gallinari never earned an All-Star selection or any individual accolade during his 5.5-year stint with the Nuggets, but he played some of the best basketball of his career in Denver.

The 2008 EuroLeague Rising Star averaged 18.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game during his final season with the Nuggets (2016-17), shooting 44.7% from the field and 38.9% from deep.

Gallinari then enjoyed stints with the Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, and Vaqueros de Bayamon (Puerto Rico) before announcing his retirement on Tuesday.

The 6-foot-10 forward, while not a future Hall of Famer, has plenty to be proud of as he navigates life without basketball.

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