French Star Batum Retires After 18-Year NBA Career

French basketball star Nicolas Batum has announced his retirement from professional basketball after an 18-year career in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

The 37-year-old, who made more than 1,200 NBA appearances and won two Olympic silver medals with France, announced his decision on Monday in a video filmed with his young son in Pont-l’Évêque, the French town where he began playing basketball.

Batum said he had decided to retire for several reasons, including wanting to return home, spend more time with his family and make way for the next generation.

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He said his long career had also made him realise it was time to know when to stop playing.

“Dad’s done playing basketball,” he says in the clip.

“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 death of his father, who was also a professional basketball player in France and died on a basketball court.

After beginning his career in French domestic basketball, Batum was selected in the first round of the NBA Draft and joined the Portland Trail Blazers.

The 6-foot-7 (2.01m) forward later played for the Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers, where he finished his NBA career last season.

Known by the nickname “Batman”, Batum built a reputation for his versatility, defensive ability and basketball intelligence during his time in the league.