Nick Collison Retires from NBA

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Nick Collison has called time on his NBA career after fifteen years, he announced on Thursday.

The 37 year old spent his entire career with OKC, including while they still played in Seattle as the SuperSonics.

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Nick Collison was a member of the legendary 2003 class when he was drafted. His fellow draftees that year included LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. He was selected 12th by the then Seattle SuperSonics.

The 6-foot-10 forward played 910 regular-season games, and 91 playoff games. This is the third most in franchise history, behind Gary Payton and Fred Brown.

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Nick Collison is the last remaining Oklahoma franchise player who played for them in Seattle, moving with them in 2008. Before the move that year, Russell Westbrook was drafted 8th by Seattle, but never played. Westbrook is now the only remaining player from the Oklahoma City Thunder 2012 finals team.

Collison’s best season came before the move to Seattle, in 2007-2008. That year he averaged 9.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game with 23 double-doubles. He is fourth in franchise history in rebounds, sixth in blocks, fifth in field goal percentage and ninth in minutes played.

“I’ve played with some incredible players, future Hall of Famers, and had the unique experience of spending my entire career with one franchise, but in two different cities,” Collison said to ESPN’s Royce Young.

“I started in cold gyms in small towns in Iowa and ended up playing in more than 1,000 games over 15 years in the best league in the world. I’ve had an incredible run. I’m proud of my career.

“But it’s time to go. I’m retiring from competitive basketball.”