MIAMI (AP) – Ray Allen won championships in Boston and Miami, made one of the most memorable shots in NBA Finals history and has more 3-pointers than anyone who ever played in the league.
More than two years after his last game, he’s decided that was enough.
Allen announced his retirement on Tuesday in a post on The Players’ Tribune website. Allen spent 18 seasons in the league with Milwaukee, Seattle, the Celtics and the Heat, averaging 18.9 points in 1,300 regular-season games and appearing in 10 All-Star Games.
“I write this to you today as a 41-year-old man who is retiring from the game,’’ Allen said in his post, which was in the form of a letter to his younger self. “I write to you as a man who is completely at peace with himself.’’
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called Allen “an extraordinary player.’’
“On behalf of the NBA family, I want to thank him for being a wonderful ambassador for the game,’’ Silver said.
Allen entertained thoughts about a comeback over the last two years and had plenty of opportunities from title-contending teams. But nothing ever lured him back, although the door always remained a tiny bit open – until now.
“Basketball will take you far away from that school yard,’’ Allen wrote. “You will become far more than just a basketball player. You’ll get to act in movies. You’ll travel the world. You will become a husband, and the father of five amazing children.’’
Allen starred in the 1998 Spike Lee film “He Got Game.’’ He portrayed Jesus Shuttlesworth, a top-ranked basketball prospect, whose father (played by Denzel Washington) is in prison for killing his wife.
