Ty Gibson announces retirement and returns to the Bulls as an assistant coach.

September 17th - According to ESPN , NBA veteran forward Taj Gibson announced his retirement on Monday, ending his 17 - year professional career. The Chicago Bulls subsequently announced that Gibson will join the team's coaching staff as an assistant coach.

" I can honestly say that I've given my all to this sport, " Gibson wrote on social media. " I'm grateful for every moment, every teammate, every coach, and everyone who believed in me. "

Gibson was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the 2009 NBA Draft and subsequently played for the team for eight seasons. During his time with the Bulls, he experienced some of the team's deepest playoff runs since the Jordan era in the 1990s. This January , Gibson also returned to Chicago to attend Derrick Rose 's jersey retirement ceremony.

In July of this year , Gibson was contacted by the Bulls during the Las Vegas Summer League, at which time the two sides first discussed the possibility of him joining the coaching staff. Now, he will officially return to the Bulls and begin his coaching career under the new head coach Tiago Splitter .

Wes Unseld will continue as an assistant coach for the Bulls, while Blake Ahern , Jamel McMillan , Rex Karamian , and Jonah Hescu will join the coaching staff alongside Gibson.

Gibson played 17 NBA seasons, playing for the Bulls, Knicks, Timberwolves, Wizards, Hornets, Thunder, Grizzlies , and Pistons, averaging 8.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game.

Image source: Internet