3 days ago
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Los Angeles Clippers star Chris Paul is set to retire at the end of the season, it has been revealed.
Paul, 40, will bring the curtain down on his career at the end of his 21st year in the NBA, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
The legendary guard is a 12-time All-Star and 11-time member of All-NBA teams after stints with the New Orleans Hornets, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs, as well as two spells with the Clippers.
Ahead of LA's game against the Charlotte Hornets, back in his home state of North Carolina, he appeared to confirm his impending retirement by writing on social media: 'Back in NC!!! What a ride...Still so much left...GRATEFUL for this last one!!'
After playing college basketball at Wake Forest in Clemmons, North Carolina, Paul was selected as the fourth overall pick in the 2005 draft by the formerly-named New Orleans Hornets (now the Pelicans).
An impressive return of 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 2.2 steals per game saw him crowned NBA Rookie of the Year, before he was selected to his first All-Star Game at the end of his sophomore year in 2007.
Los Angeles Clippers star Chris Paul is set to retire at the end of his 21st season in the NBA
The 40-year-old, who started his career with the New Orleans Hornets, is a 12-time All-Star
He was eventually traded to LA for his first spell with the Clippers in 2011, where he spent six years before bouncing around the league with the Rockets, Thunder, Suns, Warriors and Spurs.
The former Wake Forest star re-signed with the Clippers this past offseason on a one-year deal, but has had to settle for a reserve role since returning.
Over the course of his career, Paul earned nine All-Defensive team honors while averaging 16.9 points, 9.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds and two steals per game while shooting 46.9 per cent from the field and 36.9 per cent from three-point range.
He only made it to the NBA Finals on one occasion with the Phoenix Suns in 2021, only to suffer a 4-2 series defeat against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Despite not clinching a title, Paul is considered a shoo-in to one day be inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame.
