3-time NBA champion Livingston retires at 34

Guard Shaun Livingston, who won three NBA championships with the Golden State Warriors during his 15 seasons in the league, announced his retirement Friday.

Livingston, who was waived by the Warriors on July 10, made his announcement on Instagram.

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After 15 years in the NBA, I’m excited, sad, fortunate and grateful all in one breath. Hard to put into a caption all of the emotions it takes to try and accomplish your dreams. I wasn’t supposed to be here. Anybody that has beat the odds understands the mental and emotional strain it takes to inspire yourself on an uphill war, let alone inspire others. “The injury” gave me a chance to find and prove to myself (and the world) that I wouldn’t be defined by my circumstances. With my time in the League what I will be most proud of is the fact that my character, values and faith were tested, and I persevered. To my pops that told me to “go get the big ball” I THANK YOU. To my Grandpa that always showed me there was more to life than basketball I THANK YOU. To my Uncles that helped raise me like I was one of their own, THANK YOU. To my wife and kids…the future IS BRIGHTER than our past, and I couldn’t see myself taking on this chapter without you. To all of my teammates, coaches, TRAINERS, staff, my journey is a collection of experiences, and those of you that helped me along the way, THANK YOU! To all the fans and anybody else that inspired me, supported me, cheered for me, or even said good words about me, THANK YOU. “The greatest gift we can give is service to others” #Raiseaglass 🍷

A post shared by Shaun Livingston (@sdot1414) on Sep 13, 2019 at 8:30am PDT

The versatile, 6-foot-7 Livingston, who turned 34 on Wednesday, came back from a devastating knee injury early in his career to become one of the league’s savviest players and a strong locker room presence.

Livingston average 15 minutes per game over the past two seasons for the Warriors, with whom he spent five seasons and won titles in 2015, 2017 and 2018.

“Shaun was a huge part of three NBA championship teams with the Warriors, but his overall journey is what is most remarkable,” Warriors CEO Joe Lacob said in a statement. “He overcame incredible odds following a devastating injury, wore nine different NBA uniforms during his comeback, had a stint in the D-League and, fittingly, ended up being a major contributor on one of the best teams in NBA history.”

He was originally drafted by the LA Clippers with the fourth overall pick in 2004.

In a game against Charlotte on Feb. 26, 2007, Livingston suffered a horrendous knee injury, dislocating his left kneecap and snapping his leg after landing awkwardly. He suffered a torn ACL, PCL and lateral meniscus, sprained his MCL and dislocated his patella.

After missing the entire 2007-08 season, he resumed playing basketball with the Miami Heat in 2008 before being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder later that season.

He bounced around with several teams — Washington, Charlotte, Milwaukee, Cleveland and Brooklyn — before signing with the Warriors before the 2014 season.

Livingston finished his career having averaged 6.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.