David Lee retires after 12 NBA seasons
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 11: David Lee #10 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts against the Houston Rockets during Game Six of the NBA Western Conference Semi-Finals at Toyota Center on May 11, 2017 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/AFP
David Lee, who helped the Golden State Warriors to the 2015 NBA title during a 12-season career, announced his retirement Sunday on Instagram.
Lee, whose fiancee is Danish tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, averaged 13.5 points and 8.8 rebounds over 829 games with New York, Golden State, Boston, Dallas and San Antonio.
Article continues after this advertisement“An epic night celebrating my retirement with my friends and family!” Lee posted with a group photo on Instagram. “Thank you to my amazing fiancée @carowozniacki for planning the surprise!”
Former world number one Wozniacki had a relationship with Northern Ireland golfer Rory McIlroy, a four-time major champion, and they became engaged in January 2014 but broke up four months later, McIlroy saying he “wasn’t ready for all that marriage entails.”
This past Valentine’s Day, Wozniacki announced she was in a relationship with Lee and the couple announced their engagement earlier this month.
Article continues after this advertisementLee was a first-round pick by New York in the 2005 NBA Draft and spent five seasons with the Knicks, earning NBA All-Star honors in 2010.
He was part of a sign-and-trade deal that saw him play for Golden State for five seasons. Lee struggled with injuries in his final season for the Warriors, being replaced as a starter by Draymond Green as Golden State captured the NBA crown.
Lee was traded to Boston ahead of the 2015-16 campaign, released by the Celtics in February and signed by Dallas. After being cut he played last season for San Antonio, his 79 appearances for the Spurs his most since 2013. He was an unsigned free agent this season.