Always a solid big man and serviceable starter for a large portion of his career, Nene is ready to call it a career after 17 seasons in the NBA.
According to ESPN via Google Translate, the veteran Nene plans to call it a career once the Houston Rockets’ season comes to an end.
In an interview with the NBA Freestyle program, Nenê, the Houston Rockets pivot, said he intends to retire at the end of the NBA season.
The 36-year-old said it is nearing the time to “give exclusive attention to the boys”, his three sons, and upon retirement declared. “I’ll talk to them [Rockets] after the season ends but is now coming to a close.”
Nene enjoyed a very good 17-year run in the NBA in which he played for the Denver Nuggets, followed by five years with the Wizards and now he’s spent his final three seasons a member of the Houston Rockets.
The Rockets still have some very important business to take care of, as they sit knotted with the Golden State Warriors at two games apiece in the Western Conference Semifinals. Nene has played a minor role, receiving playing time in spurts and providing the Rockets with another big-bodied option off the bench.
Though he was never an All-Star, Nene had some excellent seasons with both the Nuggets and the Wizards. The Brazilian center was more of an interior bruiser with Denver but would develop a dependable offensive touch later with the Wizards. Along with Washington’s blossoming backcourt at the time, Nene helped lead them deep into the playoffs on more than one occasion.
Now with the Rockets, Nene has been receiving spot minutes off the bench as the backup to Clint Capela over midseason acquisition Kenneth Faried. Nene has posted career averages of 11.3 points per game and 6 rebounds.
