Longtime NBA guard D.J. Augustin has decided to retire as a player, he announced Sunday on Instagram.
“Today, I’m officially announcing my retirement from the game I’ve loved for so long,” Augustin wrote in part. “Basketball has been more than a sport, it has been a journey filled with unforgettable memories, friendships, lessons and experiences beyond the court. … I’m grateful for every high and every low, every team, every city, and every fan who’s supported me and my family along the way.”
Augustin, 36, played two seasons of college ball at Texas prior to being selected No. 9 overall in the 2008 draft. He started his professional career with Charlotte (then called the Bobcats), the team that drafted him, earning a spot on the All-Rookie Second Team in 2008/09.
After spending his first four seasons in Charlotte, the 5’11” point guard became a journeyman, suiting up for the Pacers, Raptors, Bulls, Pistons, Thunder and Nuggets from 2012-16. He then had a productive four-season run with the Magic before bouncing around the league again, making stops with the Bucks, Rockets and Lakers.
Augustin’s career wrapped up in ’22/23, when he signed a rest-of-season deal with Houston, though he didn’t appear in any games during his second stint as a Rocket.
Overall, Augustin appeared in 976 regular season games (334 starts) over the course of his 15 NBA seasons, averaging 9.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 23.4 minutes per contest. He posted a shooting slash line of .412/.381/.867.
Wow he played for 11 teams, wonder if that’s a record for most teams played in a career? I remember him with the Pistons and he was mediocre at best, but to last 15 years in the NBA is a hell of an accomplishment!
Ish Smith holds the record with I believe 13 teams.
Pretty good career for a kid who stood 5-9. Goes to show anything can happen and anyone can make it if they’re lucky and work hard.
Well that AND if they’re fast enough, have good Court vision, can shoot, pesky on defense, great in the locker room…