Sawt Falasteen - French star Batum retires after 18-year NBA career

Batum, who won two silver Olympic medals with France and made over 1,200 NBA appearances, made the announcement in a video with his young son.

"Dad's done playing basketball," he says in the clip, shot in Pont-l'Eveque, the French town where he learnt to play as a child.

"I've been playing for a long time," explains the 37-year-old.

"I decided to retire from basketball for several reasons. I want to come home and be with you. I'm going to take care of you and make room for others," Batum tells his son.

"I think I've done my time... When you've played as much basketball as I have, at some point, you have to know when to stop."

Batum released the video on September 21, the anniversary of the date his father -- a professional player in France -- passed away on a basketball court.

After starting in French domestic basketball, Nicolas Batum was a first-round NBA draft pick and joined the Portland Trail Blazers. A 6-foot-7 (2.01m) forward, he went on to play for the Charlotte Hornets, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Clippers, where he ended his career last season.

Throughout his career Batum, who was nicknamed "Batman",was renowned for his versatility, defensive prowess and high basketball IQ.

"Congratulations on a great career, @nicolas88batum," posted the 76ers on X.

"Congrats @nicolas88batum on an incredible 18-year NBA career," wrote the official NBA account.

A former France captain, Batum won silver medals at the Tokyo 2020 -- which were played in 2021 -- and Paris 2024 Olympics. He won a European championship in 2013.

H.Jarrar--SF-PST