Jan 16, 2019; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic (77) shakes hands with San Antonio Spurs guard Marco Belinelli (18) after their game at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

NBA Players Send Love To San Antonio Spurs Champion

Originally posted on Fastbreak on SI | By Ben Stinar | Last updated Aug 18, 2025 5:30 PM ET

Marco Belinelli last played in the NBA during the 2019-20 season when he was in his second stint with the San Antonio Spurs.

On Monday, the 39-year-old officially announced that he has retired from basketball.

He wrote via Instagram (translated to English): "I put my heart into it. Every bits of mi self. Every single day. Basketball gave me everything... and i gave it all to her. It's never easy to say goodbye. But it's the time. I carry with me every emotion, every sacrifice, every applause. Thank you to those who have always been there. To the younger ones, I leave a dream. Make it count....

I gave it my heart. Every piece of me. Every single day. Basketball gave me everything… and I gave it everything I had. Saying goodbye isn’t easy. But it’s time. I carry with me every emotion, every sacrifice, every cheer. Thank you to those who always believed. To the next generation—I leave a dream. Make it count."

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A post shared by Marco Belinelli (@mbeli21)

NBA players sent love to the 2014 Champion in the comments.

Dennis Schroder: "LEGEND!!!"

Justin Holiday: "Congrats brother!!"

Danny Green: " congrats big dawg!!!"

Bogdan Bogdanovic: "Grande leggenda!! "

Joakim Noah: "It was an honor brother"

Belinelli was the 18th pick in the 2007 NBA Draft.

He also spent time with the New Orleans Hornets, Golden State Warriors, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers over 13 NBA seasons.

During the 2014 season, Belinelli averaged 11.4 points per contest (for the Spurs who won the title).

This article first appeared on Fastbreak on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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