Blake Griffin officially announced his retirement from basketball Tuesday morning, posting a message on social media reflecting on his 13-year career. Griffin posted on both Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter), where he expressed his gratitude for being able to play basketball at the highest level, while also thanking his family and agent who helped him along the way.

“I never pictured myself as the guy who would have a 'letter to basketball' retirement announcement… and I still won't be that guy. But when I thought about my career, that was the feeling I kept coming back to came back and all I wanted to express was gratitude.”

“I'm grateful for every moment – not just the good ones: the wins, the awards, the dunks and the memorable times spent with family, friends, fans, teammates and coaches. I could go on and on about the people in my life who have contributed immensely to my career, but in this short non-letter I must thank my parents, Tommy and Gail, and my brother, Taylor, for their unconditional support and guidance who has been a steadfast voice of reason and my consigliere in time of war – thank you.”

Griffin was selected No. 1 overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers, but did not play his rookie season until the following year due to a stress fracture he suffered in his knee during the final preseason game in LA. When Griffin returned healthy for the 2010–11 season, he made an immediate impact, averaging 22.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists and shooting 50.6% from the field. He earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2011 and was also named an All-Star, becoming the first rookie to earn that honor since Yao Ming did so in 2003. He was also the first rookie to be voted into the All-Star squad as a reserve. since Tim Duncan in 1998. Griffin also won the Dunk Contest at the 2011 All-Star Weekend, showcasing what would be a long career full of otherworldly athleticism.

In Griffin's eight seasons with the Clippers, he was an All-Star five times, earned All-NBA honors four times and finished in the top-3 in MVP voting once. He formed the core of the Clippers' exciting “Lob City” rosters in the mid-2010s, which also featured Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, Jamal Crawford and JJ Redick. Those teams consistently made the postseason, and while they never won a championship, it was certainly one of the most memorable eras of Clippers basketball.

Griffin was traded to the Pistons during the 2017-18 season, and in three seasons with the team, he continued to show he could be a dominant scorer and rebounder. He earned an All-Star title with Pistons and All-NBA Third Team honors during the 2018-19 season.

When healthy, Griffin was one of the most dominant forwards of his era, and his elite athletic ability was constantly on display. However, injuries have wiped out some of those breathtaking dunks over the years, which Griffin was also grateful for in his retirement letter.

“I am equally grateful for the not-so-good moments: the losses, the injuries, the way too many surgeries, the lessons, the heartbreak, and it wouldn't be a sports retirement letter without acknowledging the 'haters.' These experiences have truly made my fourteen years in the league unforgettable, and I can't help but just feel grateful.”

Griffin finished his career playing two seasons with the Brooklyn Nets from 2020-2022, followed by a season with the Boston Celtics for the 2022-2023 season. In his final season with the Celtics, he played in 41 games and averaged 4.1 points and 3.8 rebounds.

“The game of basketball has given me so much in this life, and I wouldn't change a thing. Last but certainly not least, here comes the obligatory 'I'm excited for my next chapter' part: Just kidding, I'm ready.”

Prior to the NBA, Griffin had a standout collegiate career at Oklahoma, where he averaged 18.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists over two seasons. He was named National Player of the Year in 2009 and led Oklahoma to the Elite Eight in his second season. In 2016, the Sooners retired Griffin's No. 23 jersey.

This story was originally published by CBS Sports on April 16, 2024 at 4:30 PM ET.