Former Trail Blazers forward Nic Batum retires after 18 seasons in the NBA.
After 18 seasons in the NBA, former Trail Blazers small forward Nic Batum is hanging up his basketball shoes.
The long-time NBA veteran made the announcement via a video posted on his X account on Monday morning.
Batum was drafted 25th overall by the Houston Rockets in 2008, but as part of a 3-team deal on draft night he was traded to Portland.
He stared his career on the bench, but that was short lived. He was inserted into the starting lineup in just the fourth game of his career, and he never looked back — becoming a quickly rising fan-favorite.
He was a menace on defense and his basketball IQ led to many a highlight play. Perhaps none more memorable than the incredible lob he received from Andre Miller to beat the Spurs in 2011.
Batum went on to play seven seasons with the Trail Blazers, averaging 11.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.
Following his time in Portland, Batum would go on to play for the Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, and Philadelphia 76ers.
Batum leaves the NBA having averaged 9.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists over 1,205 regular season games — 481 with the Trail Blazers.
Good story.