Hoops icon Chris Paul has officially announced his retirement from the NBA after 21 seasons, dropping the news via an emotional Instagram post that sent shockwaves through the basketball world. The 40-year-old Clippers star wrote: "What a ride… Still so much left… GRATEFUL for this last one!!" – proving even legends get sentimental 🥹.
CP3 leaves as the NBA’s active leader in assists and steals, ranking second all-time in both categories. With career averages of 16.9 points and 9.2 assists, he’s one of only two players (alongside LeBron James) to hit the 20K+ points and 10K+ assists milestone 💎.
From his 2005 draft by the New Orleans Hornets to shaping the Clippers’ iconic "Lob City" era with Blake Griffin, Paul’s court wizardry made him must-watch TV 📺. His final stat line as a pro? A vintage 3-point, 3-rebound, 8-assist performance in Charlotte this week – cementing his place as the first NBA player ever with 20K+ points, 6K+ rebounds, and 12K+ assists.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue called Paul "the ultimate competitor," while teammate James Harden praised his leadership: "CP3’s IQ changed every locker room he walked into." As tributes flood social media 🏀💻, fans worldwide are preparing to bid farewell to a true floor general.
