In a recent interview with Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News, 10-year NBA veteran Gorgui Dieng confirmed his official retirement from professional basketball. Dieng, who was once the first-overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, enjoyed a successful career playing for several teams, including the Minnesota Timberwolves, Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs, and Atlanta Hawks.

During his time in the league, Dieng established himself as a valuable player, both as a starting center and a reserve big man. He demonstrated his versatility and adaptability, playing both as a starter and a bench player for different teams. One standout season for him was in 2016-17 when he started all 82 games for the Timberwolves, averaging an impressive 10.0 points per game (PPG) and 7.9 rebounds per game (RPG).

Dieng's most recent appearance in the NBA was with the San Antonio Spurs last season. He played in 31 games, starting one and coming off the bench for the remaining 30. Despite limited playing time, Dieng continued to showcase his professionalism and dedication to the game.

Now that Dieng has officially retired, he has transitioned to a new phase of his basketball career. He has joined the coaching staff of the San Antonio Spurs under the guidance of renowned coach Gregg Popovich. Despite being just 33 years old, Dieng has made the decision to step away from playing professionally. While he could have potentially continued his career as a player, he is ready to explore the coaching side of the game.

Gorgui Dieng's retirement marks the end of an era for a player who made significant contributions to the teams he played for. His dedication, versatility, and professionalism throughout his career have left a lasting impact on the NBA.

Entering a new chapter, Dieng joins the coaching staff of the San Antonio Spurs, bringing his experience and passion for the game to contribute to its growth and development.