Boris Diaw announces retirement from basketball

PARIS - The illustrious career of Boris Diaw is officially over as the France star has announced his retirement from basketball.

The 36-year-old Diaw made the announcement in style, posting a video on his social media accounts called "Bromance - The Announcement". In the 20-minute video, Diaw sits relaxed on a boat and discusses his career with Ronny Turiaf and Tony Parker, who accompanied him for many, many years wearing the France jersey both as youth and senior level players.

"I feel happy when I look back at my career," Diaw said. "I did what I had to do. And I don't see this as a retirement but the beginning of a new life.”

Diaw mentions in the video that he came to the decision after sailing for “two or three weeks” and not feeling the need to return to the game for the up-coming season.

"You see the sun, I'm here, I'm on the boat, I'm good," Diaw said. "I think I am going to stay on the deck. I think it’s the moment for me to retire."

 
Diaw's list of achievements is long, including winning FIBA EuroBasket 2013 title as well as the 2014 NBA crown with the San Antonio Spurs and hoisting the trophy at the FIBA U18 European Championship 2000. He also helped France to a second-placed finish at the EuroBasket 2011 - securing Les Bleus' first participation in the Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament since 2000 and grabbed third place at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 and EuroBaskets 2005 and 2015.

"It's a huge page that is turning in (French) basketball and sport. We all wish to congratulate Boris Diaw for the entirety of his career, both with clubs and with the French national team. His unwavering commitment to the blue jersey for close to 20 years, as well as his exemplary behavior on and off the court, make Boris Diaw a formidable example for our youth," French Basketball Federation (FFBB) President Jean-Pierre Siutat said. "I wish to thank him again, sincerely, for everything that he has brought to our sport."

In total, Diaw played in three FIBA Basketball World Cups, two Men's Olympic Basketball Tournaments and eight EuroBaskets. He also played in the first three windows of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers, leading the team to a perfect 6-0 record while averaging 8.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 21 minutes per game, including an impressive 23 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists against Russia.

Diaw played 14 years in the NBA for the Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Bobcats, San Antonio Spurs and most recently for the Utah Jazz in the 2016-17 season and was named the NBA's Most Improved Player in 2006. He averaged 8.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists over his career.  Diaw then returned to his native France last season and played for ProA club Levallois Metropolitans.

Diaw wore the France senior team jersey 247 times, equalling the mark of his mother, Elisabeth Riffiod - something which really meant a lot to him.

"It was a huge accomplishment," he said in the video of his mother, who was one of the best centers in French basketball history playing for more than a decade with the national team before becoming a member of the French Basketball Hall of Fame. "I've always thought it was unreachable, and the fact that I’ve finally made it, it was unbelievable for me. And in a certain way, I don’t want to beat this record. I don’t want to do better than my mom."

Thanks to his open personality and ever-present smile, Diaw became the real face of the French national team, serving as captain starting in 2006.

"Boris Diaw is part of a small group of players whose impact it will have had on the French team will forever be engraved in the collective memory," said Vincent Collet, who took over as French national team coach in 2009. "For the fans, there is of course the great player and the generous and friendly man. For us members of the staff and for me as coach, he represented the incarnation of the captain on a daily basis, always turned towards others to help them perform and feel at ease in the group. No one is indispensable but we will soon be aware of his absence. For all of these years together, rather than to thank him, I would just say it's been great!"

Shortly after the announcement was made, tributes started appearing on social media from former teammates and foes alike.

FIBA