Longtime NBA forward announces retirement

Longtime NBA forward Danilo Gallinari has announced his retirement from professional basketball, confirming the decision in a social media post.

“Today, with a heart full of gratitude, I am announcing my retirement from a career I’ve always dreamed of,” Gallinari wrote. “A career built through hard work, sacrifice, victories, defeats, teammates who became brothers, guidance from my coaches, and, of course, family and friends that were with me every step of the way.

“It’s been an incredible journey filled with countless memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. To those who believed in me, to all those who supported me, and to those who shared every moment with me — thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

“I’m beyond excited for the next chapter!”

Gallinari, 37, was the sixth overall pick in the 2008 draft. The 6-foot-10 Italian forward began his NBA career with the Knicks before being sent to Denver in the blockbuster 2011 trade that landed Carmelo Anthony in New York. Most of the best years of his career came with the Nuggets, though he later played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks, too.

In 777 total regular-season games, Gallinari averaged 14.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 28.8 minutes per contest, with a shooting line of .428/.381/.876. His ability to stretch the floor from the power forward position was his calling card — he knocked down 1,456 three-pointers over the course of his career, which currently ranks 61st on the NBA’s all-time list.

Gallinari spent 16 seasons in the NBA — including two full seasons he missed due to ACL injuries — and last played in 2023-24. He subsequently suited up for the Puerto Rican team, Vaqueros de Bayamón, previous season and represented Italy in one final international competition at this year’s EuroBasket.

The veteran forward spoke earlier this year about the possibility of signing one more NBA contract or possibly returning to the EuroLeague, but he has decided to call it a career instead.