News

Former Seattle Sonics forward Collison retiring after 15 seasons

Nick Collison, the Seattle Supersonics' top draft pick, talks to reporters Monday, June 30, 2003 after being introduced in Seattle. Collison, who played collegiate basketball for Kansas, was the 12th overall selection in the 2003 NBA draft. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Photo: Associated Press/Ted S. Warren


OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma City Thunder forward Nick Collison is retiring after 15 years in the NBA.

The 37-year-old Collison announced his decision Thursday through the team. The Thunder said Collison is among five NBA players to have spent the past 15 or more seasons all with one franchise.

“My goal was always to make a career out of basketball and I was blessed to be in the NBA for 15 seasons,” Collison said in a statement.

The 6-foot-10 Collison did not give a reason for his retirement. He played in just 15 games this past season. His best season came in 2007-08, when he averaged 9.8 points and 9.4 rebounds in the last year before the Seattle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City. He still keeps a home in Seattle.

Collison was selected No. 12 overall out of Kansas by the Seattle Supersonics in 2003.

Thunder executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti said Collison was a player who set the course for the team at home in Oklahoma City. “Nick has helped define the standards we work by on a day-to-day basis, on and off the court,” Presti said. “He has become synonymous with the Thunder shield.”

Thunder chairman Clayton I. Bennett said that after purchasing the SuperSonics, the first thing he saw in the gym was Collison practicing his jump shot. That moment stuck with Bennett, who thanked Collison for being the same person today as he was then. “The Thunder will forever be a better organization because he was here,” Bennett said.

Collison started 177 of his 910 career regular-season games, averaging 5.9 points and 5.2 rebounds. He and Russell Westbrook are the only two players to spend the first 10 years of the relocated franchise in Oklahoma City.

Collison thanked family, friends, teammates, coaches and fans for his career. “It would not have been possible to do it on my own,” he said.

Recent Headlines

2 hours ago in Local Sports, Professional, Sports

US and Germany lose group-stage finales on Day 15 of the World Cup

The loss doesn't affect team USA's position in the tournament

6 hours ago in Sports, Trending

Serena Williams draws 20-year-old Maya Joint in first Wimbledon singles match in 4 years

Serena Williams will face an opponent less than half her age when she plays 20-year-old Maya Joint in the first round at Wimbledon for her first singles match in nearly four years.

1 day ago in Sports

South Africa reaches World Cup knockout round for 1st time with 1-0 win over South Korea

South Africa advanced to the knockout phase of the World Cup for the first time with a 1-0 victory over South Korea on Wednesday night.

1 day ago in Sports

Detroit Lions player Terrion Arnold arrested in connection to Florida kidnapping and robbery

Detroit Lions player Terrion Arnold has been arrested in connection to a kidnapping and robbery in Florida and faces felony charges, officials said Wednesday.

2 days ago in Sports

As eyes are on the men at the World Cup, the Women’s World Cup countdown has begun

While most of the soccer world is focused on the men at the World Cup, the countdown has begun for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.