Richard Jefferson Retires After 17 Seasons

Richard Jefferson will go down as one of the better players in NBA history to have never appeared in an All-Star game. The athletic and gifted 20 point scorer turned into valued role player for the San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers and now after 17 seasons he is retiring.

Jefferson announced his intention to retire on Instagram with an emotional post that included a tribute to his late father who recently passed away in a drive-by shooting.

View this post on Instagram

Well here’s my first post! In the last month I’ve dealt with two life changing events back to back. My decision to move on from basketball and the tragic passing of Big Rich. The support of my family and friends have been huge. This video was taken after he bbq’d for about 20 people, something he would do a few times every summer. All I would do is tell people that I was having people over to my house and the next question was “Is Big Rich on the grill?” He really was a true OG. I’m going to miss all his one-liners, his cooking and his ability to make a whole room laugh. Until next time!!!! #RIPPLAYAPLAYA #tripleOG PAPA REALLY WAS A ROLLING STONE!!! ????

A post shared by Richard Jefferson (@richardajefferson) on Oct 13, 2018 at 9:13am PDT

Jefferson was drafted 13th by the Rockets in the 2001 NBA Draft before being traded to the Nets that same night. He had a six year stretch in his mid-20s where he averaged 19.7 points per game for the Nets and Bucks.

His shining moment was his role for the 2015-16 Cleveland Cavaliers team that won an NBA title.

He also co-created the highly popular Road Trippin’ Podcast with Channing Frye and has always been very well respected among his peers.