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Former Celtics Star, 2-time NBA Champion Announces Retirement
The last member of the Boston Celtics' 2008 NBA title team officially announced his retirement on Tuesday. On Extra Smoke with fellow former players and champions Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes, Rajon Rondo told the hosts that he's closing that chapter of his journey.
He retires having captured the Larry O'Brien Trophy twice, accomplishing the rare feat of doing so with the Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers, helping each claim the last championship banner either franchise has raised to their respective rafters.
The former Kentucky Wildcat's illustrious 16-year career, in which he spent the first eight seasons and change in Boston before getting traded to the Dallas Mavericks 22 appearances into the 2014-15 campaign, also includes four All-Star selections.
Rondo earned a spot on the All-NBA Third Team in 2011-12 and led the league in assists in three seasons. His 7,584 career dimes rank 15th in NBA history.
The Louisville, Kentucky native also made an NBA All-Defensive Team four times, twice on the First Team and twice on the second. He swiped the most steals in the 2009-2010 campaign, and his 1518 career thefts rank 51st in league history.
The cerebral point guard, known for having one of the highest basketball IQs of his generation, shared with Inside The Celtics he intends to get into coaching.
"I love teaching the game," said Rondo, who currently has a young AAU program with his son's team, and he's helping his daughter with volleyball. "Coaching is in the future."
Further Reading
Celtics Dialed in Defensively in Double-Digit Win Over Pelicans
Jaylen Brown Shares What's Fueling Career Year: 'Nothing in This World Gonna Break My Spirit'
Jaylen Brown's Evolution Crucial to Celtics' Desire to Win with More Than Talent
Celtics Embracing Challenge to Go Beyond Most Talented
Jayson Tatum Opens Up About Sacrificing in Celtics' Title Pursuit: 'It's a Process'
Brad Stevens Discusses Celtics' Plan for Final Roster Spot
Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans
Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'
Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'
Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'
