Taj Gibson has decided it was time to retire as a player after 17 seasons — but he is not stepping away from the NBA.
Gibson has announced his retirement on social media and will join the Chicago Bulls as an assistant coach under Tiago Splitter.
“I wanted to be the guy my teammates could count on someone who brought toughness, energy, leadership, and heart every time I stepped on the court.”
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Gibson certainly was that.
Gibson was drafted in the first round in 2009 by the Chicago Bulls and played eight seasons for the franchise, finishing fifth in Rookie of the Year voting and being top-10 in Sixth Man of the Year voting three times (including second in 2014). With the Bulls he averaged 9.4 points and 6.4 rebounds a game.
After leaving Chicago he played in New York, Minnesota, Washington, Charlotte, Oklahoma City, Memphis and Detroit. This summer, the Grizzlies traded Gibson to the Pelicans, who then waived him.
Now he returns to Chicago, where he is beloved. Gibson made his mark in Bulls history and ranks fifth all-time in blocks (695), sixth in offensive rebounds (1,336), 10th in defensive rebounds (2,250), 10th in games played (562) and 12th in total rebounds (3,586).
Gibson has always had the basketball IQ and demeanor of a coach, and now he will learn under another former NBA big man turned coach in Tiago Splitter.
