Houston Rockets’ center Nene is planning to put an end to his basketball career after playing 18 seasons in the NBA. According to ESPN Brazil, Nene will retire following the end of the Rockets’ current postseason run.
Nene confirmed the news while talking with NBA Freestyle, although he left the window slightly open in case he has a change of hearts.
“I’m going to talk to them [Rockets] after the season is over. But my time and my legacy is already ending. Everything I did, I did.” – said Nene.
Since the emergence of Clint Capela, Nene saw his role with the Rockets getting gradually smaller in the past two seasons. The 36-year-old played 42 games in this regular season, and averaged 3.6 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.
Nene was drafted seventh overall in 2002 NBA Draft by New York Knicks and was traded to Denver Nuggets on the draft night. He established himself as an important part of the Nuggets’ lineup in the years that came, and was part of the team that played Western Conference Finals in 2009. Nene was traded to Washington Wizards in 2012 and played four and a half years with the organization before joining the Rockets in 2016.
During his 18 years in NBA, Nene played 965 games and averaged 11.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game.
