Veteran big man Zach Randolph announced his retirement from the NBA on Saturday, this after spending 17 seasons in the pros. "Z-Bo" made this announcement at the age of 38 years old, and ends his career with 18,578 points and 10,208 rebounds for his career. He was selected out of Michigan State with the 19th overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers.
Randolph ended up playing with the Trail Blazers, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Sacramento Kings throughout his career. He finishes at 16.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, but has not played in the league since March of 2018. He went the entire 2018-2019 season without finding a home with a team.
The best run of his career came with the Grizzlies, where he was able to erase any negative reputation he may have had due to attitude and confrontations with other players and officials. After joining Memphis, he went on to make the playoffs in seven consecutive seasons, including a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2011. Randolph ended up making the All-Star team twice, and was even the winner of the Most Improved Player Award in the 2003-2004 season. He released a statement on Twitter after his retirement was announced, stating "I gave this game my all, and it gave everything back and more."
Randolph ended up playing with the Trail Blazers, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Sacramento Kings throughout his career. He finishes at 16.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, but has not played in the league since March of 2018. He went the entire 2018-2019 season without finding a home with a team.
The best run of his career came with the Grizzlies, where he was able to erase any negative reputation he may have had due to attitude and confrontations with other players and officials. After joining Memphis, he went on to make the playoffs in seven consecutive seasons, including a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2011. Randolph ended up making the All-Star team twice, and was even the winner of the Most Improved Player Award in the 2003-2004 season. He released a statement on Twitter after his retirement was announced, stating "I gave this game my all, and it gave everything back and more."
