2016 has seen multiple NBA players walk away from the game such as Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Amar’e Stoudemire just to name a few. Though not as big a name as the ones previously listed, guard DeShawn Stevenson has reportedly also decided to hang it up after a fifteen-year career. Following from ESPN’s Chris Haynes:
Fresno's own DeShawn Stevenson, one-time NBA champ with 13-years of NBA service, tells ESPN he is officially… https://t.co/ZuZFD2cKoi
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) December 19, 2016
Stevenson hasn’t suited up for an NBA game since the 2012-13 season when he was under contract with the Atlanta Hawks. He averaged 5.1 points per game while grabbing 2.2 rebounds and handing out 0.9 assists in a reserve role. The blue-collar off guard was drafted 23rd overall in 2001 by the Utah Jazz and has built a pretty solid career for himself. He jumped around the league plenty though, having stints with the Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks and the New Jersey Nets as well.
Throughout his playing days, Stevenson was known as a 3-and-d type player from the shooting guard position. At 6’5″, he was able to guard most other wings with relative effectiveness and was most famously known for getting into the head of LeBron James on multiple occasions during his tenures with the Washington Wizards and the Dallas Mavericks. His biggest contribution definitely came during the Mavs 2011 championship run in which they upset LeBron and company in the finals. Stevenson was the starting shooting guard alongside Jason Kidd in the backcourt, and provided valuable minutes throughout the series, showing off his defensive prowess and ability to connect consistently from beyond the arc. Many even say he could’ve been labeled the x-factor during that series, pushing the Mavs over the edge and finally getting that elusive first ring for Dallas.
