Taj Gibson has retired from his 17-year NBA playing career and will join the Chicago Bulls as an assistant coach, the team announced. The former forward's transition to coaching was confirmed following his retirement announcement on Monday.
Gibson expressed gratitude for his playing career, stating in a social media post, "I can honestly say I gave this game everything I had." He added, "But this isn’t goodbye to Basketball. It’s the beginning of a new chapter."
The 41-year-old will join first-year Bulls head coach Tiago Splitter on the coaching staff, which also includes Wes Unseld Jr., Blake Ahearn, Jamelle McMillan, Rex Kalamian, and Jonah Herscu. Gibson's return to Chicago is significant, as the Bulls originally drafted him in 2009. He spent his first eight NBA seasons with the franchise.
Throughout his extensive career, Gibson also played for the Knicks, Timberwolves, Wizards, Hornets, Thunder, Grizzlies, and Pistons. He appeared in 1,012 games, averaging 8.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per contest.
Gibson's playing career concluded after he was waived by New Orleans following a trade. He reflected on his journey, saying, "As a kid from Brooklyn, NY, I was lucky to get a chance to display my talent on the biggest stage." He added, "After 31 years of basketball, I can walk away with no regrets, knowing I left everything on the floor. God has truly blessed me."