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Rudy Gay has officially announced his retirement from the NBA at the age of 38, wrapping up a remarkable 17-season career. Known for his scoring prowess and versatility, Gay’s journey began at UConn and led him to prominence with the Memphis Grizzlies, among other teams. In reflecting on his career, he shared his appreciation for the friendships and experiences he’s accumulated. "I needed to humble myself and be like: 'Look, this is over,'" he remarked. As he departs from the game, Gay leaves behind a legacy of resilience and skill that will motivate future generations.
His last appearance on the court was during the 2022-23 season with the Utah Jazz. Although he briefly signed with the Golden State Warriors last summer, he was waived just before the season started.
In a heartfelt piece for The Players' Tribune, Gay candidly discussed his journey, saying, "I needed to humble myself and be like: 'Look, this is over.' But actually coming to grips with it being over, that's ... a process. One I'm honestly still dealing with, and struggle with at times." He humorously added, "I'll still be watching games and see some of these guys missing a pass or fumbling the ball out of bounds, and I absolutely am that dude yelling at the TV like: 'I'm better than that clown. Are you kidding me?!?!?' It's not pretty." (via: ESPN)
In his farewell, Gay stated "I'm the luckiest man in the world."
Looking ahead, Gay remains hopeful, stating, "I'm 38 years old. That's nowhere even near mid-career for most people's professional lives. So, the way I see it, I've got a lot of work ahead of me. ... In the meantime, I'm just feeling extremely grateful for all the love, wisdom, and friendship that I've experienced in the game of basketball."
Gay stats
After a standout tenure at UConn, Gay was selected as the No. 8 pick in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, who then traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies, where he earned a spot on the All-Rookie team. He ranks fifth in points, fourth in minutes played, and fourth in games played in Grizzlies history. Notably, Gay is one of just four players to average 10 or more points from the 2006-07 to 2020-21 seasons, alongside icons Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, and LeBron James.
Throughout his career, Gay represented the Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs, and the Jazz, averaging 15.8 points and 5.6 rebounds across 1,120 games (778 starts).
