Nicolas Batum Retires After 18-Season NBA Career and 20 Years as a Pro

Nicolas Batum has retired from basketball following 18 NBA seasons and 15 years with the French national team.

Nicolas Batum announced his retirement from professional basketball on Monday, ending an 18-season NBA career and a 20-year tenure as a professional athlete. The 37-year-old forward concludes his time in the league with career averages of 9.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. A 2008 first-round pick, Batum shot 37.1% from three-point range across stints with the Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers, and LA Clippers.

During his final NBA season in 2023-24, Batum made 74 appearances for the Clippers, averaging 4.0 points and 2.5 rebounds. His postseason resume includes 76 playoff games and a trip to the 2021 Western Conference finals. The Clippers recently declined a $5.9 million contract option for the 2026-27 season, making the veteran an unrestricted free agent prior to his announcement.

Internationally, the Lisieux native spent 15 years with the French national team, securing silver medals at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics. Batum also earned bronze medals at the 2014 and 2019 FIBA World Cups, alongside podium finishes at the 2011, 2013, and 2015 EuroBasket tournaments. He cited France's 2024 Olympic semifinal victory over Germany as the premier moment of his career.