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17-year NBA veteran Taj Gibson announces his retirement
Taj Gibson retired and returned to the Chicago Bulls as an assistant coach under Tiago Splitter.
The Associated Press
September 14, 2026 9:17 PM
Taj Gibson played the first 8-plus seasons of his career with Chicago after being drafted No. 26 overall in 2009.
CHICAGO (AP) – Taj Gibson has joined Tiago Splitter's first coaching staff with the Chicago Bulls after playing for eight teams in 17 NBA seasons. Gibson announced the end of his playing career on Monday.
The 6-foot-9 forward was selected by Chicago in the first round of the 2009 draft and played for the Bulls for his first seven-plus seasons.
"It's the beginning of a new chapter," Gibson posted on social media. "After 31 years of basketball, I can walk away with no regrets, knowing I left everything on the floor. God has truly blessed me."
Today is a very emotional day for me. After 17 seasons in the NBA, I can honestly say I gave this game everything I had. Basketball gave me the opportunity to live a dream. As a kid from Brooklyn, NY, I was lucky to get a chance to display my talent on the biggest stage. From… pic.twitter.com/tQAgHoUYl6
— Taj Gibson (@TajGibson) September 14, 2026
The 41-year-old Gibson averaged 8.3 points and 5.7 rebounds in 1,012 career games, also playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets and Memphis Grizzlies. Gibson was waived by New Orleans after he was acquired in a trade with Memphis last week.
"I wanted to be the guy my teammates could count on — someone who brought toughness, energy, leadership, and heart every time I stepped on the court," Gibson wrote in his retirement announcement.
Splitter was hired by Chicago in June. Gibson will join Wes Unseld Jr., Blake Ahearn, Jamelle McMillan, Rex Kalamian and Jonah Herscu as Splitter's assistants.
Chicago will always love Taj 🫡 Congrats on retirement, @TajGibson! pic.twitter.com/roCcna7DaM
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) September 14, 2026
We asked D-Rose, Joakim, and other Bulls legends what it meant to play with Taj Gibson: pic.twitter.com/yTQWZT0hyl
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) September 14, 2026
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