Amanda Knapp
David Lee, a former American professional basketball player, retired from the NBA in November 2017. Lee played for 12 years for five teams, including the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, and San Antonio Spurs. Lee's retirement was announced via an Instagram post, where he celebrated with friends and family, thanking his then-fiancée, Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki. Lee's greatest success was with the Golden State Warriors, where he won an NBA championship in 2015.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Retirement Date | November 19, 2017 |
| Retirement Announcement Date | November 20, 2017 |
| Age at Retirement | 34 |
| Teams | New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs |
| Seasons Played | 12 |
| Reason for Retirement | Wanted a more significant role and suffered an injury the previous season |
| Post-Retirement Plans | Joined a venture capital firm |
Explore related products
![David Lee (Basketball Card) 2014-15 Panini Prizm - [Base] - Red White and Blue Pulsar Prizms #31](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21kcmYW9T6L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
David Lee's career before retirement
David Lee, an American former professional basketball player, was born on April 29, 1983, in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended middle school at John Burroughs School and later enrolled at Chaminade College Preparatory School, both in St. Louis. Lee played college basketball for the Florida Gators at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, from 2001 to 2005. During his freshman year in 2002, he showcased his talent and was named to the All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) freshman team. In his sophomore season, he averaged 11.5 points and 7 rebounds per game. The following year, he was named a second-team All-SEC selection while averaging 13 points and 7 rebounds per game.
In 2005, Lee was drafted 30th overall by the New York Knicks in the NBA draft, marking the beginning of his professional basketball career. He spent five seasons with the Knicks and made significant contributions to the team. During his time with the Knicks, Lee demonstrated his versatility and impact on the court. In the 2010 offseason, Lee signed with the Golden State Warriors, marking a new chapter in his career. With the Warriors, Lee experienced considerable success and established himself as a key player. In the 2010-11 season, he appeared in 73 games, averaging 16.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.01 steals in 36.1 minutes per contest.
Lee's impressive performances continued, and on February 7, 2012, he recorded his second triple-double, scoring 25 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Over the 2011-12 season, he averaged over 20 points per game, showcasing his scoring prowess. In 2013, Lee achieved another career milestone by being named to the NBA All-Star Game as a reserve representing the Western Conference. He was the Warriors' first All-Star since Latrell Sprewell in 1997. That same year, Lee recorded a career-high 22 rebounds against the Spurs and achieved his third triple-double against the Charlotte Bobcats.
Lee's impact on the Warriors was undeniable, and he played a crucial role in their success. In 2015, he won his first NBA championship with the Warriors when they defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. After his time with the Warriors, Lee had short stints with several other teams, including the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, and San Antonio Spurs. In June 2017, he became a free agent, and on November 19, 2017, he officially announced his retirement from the NBA, ending a remarkable 12-year career in professional basketball.
Minnesota's Basketball Tournament: When and Where?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![David Lee (Basketball Card) 2006-07 Fleer Ultra - [Base] #190](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21nG1o2mADL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![David Lee (Basketball Card) 2014-15 Panini Prizm - [Base] #31](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21w+D2oQIRL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
David Lee's announcement of retirement
On November 19, 2017, David Lee, a former American professional basketball player, announced his retirement from the NBA via an Instagram post. Lee played for 12 years for five teams, including the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, and San Antonio Spurs.
Lee's greatest success was with the Golden State Warriors from 2010 to 2015, during which he averaged 16.7 points and 9.6 rebounds. He was named to the 2013 All-Star Game, becoming the Warriors' first All-Star since Latrell Sprewell in 1997. During his time with the Warriors, Lee also won an NBA championship in 2015.
In his Instagram post announcing his retirement, Lee wrote:
> "An epic night celebrating my retirement with my friends and family! Thank you to my amazing fiancée @carowozniacki for planning the surprise!"
Lee also explained his decision to retire during an interview, citing his criteria for continuing his career and the changing landscape of the NBA:
> "I kind of had a little bit more of a strict criteria coming into this offseason. At the most, I wanted to play another two years, and as you know -- I had another injury last season, so a lot of the summer was spent rehabbing... And with the NBA changing right now, the Warriors have caused a lot of teams in the league to say either we're gonna try to put as many guys on one team as possible to try to compete with the Warriors, or we're gonna go super young."
Lee also shared that he received a job offer from a venture capital firm run by friends he met while playing for the Golden State Warriors, which influenced his decision to retire and try something new.
KY vs TN Basketball Tickets: Sold Out?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![David Lee (Basketball Card) 2006-07 UD Reserve - [Base] #136](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/216-saJF5XL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
David Lee's performance with the Golden State Warriors
David Lee played for the Golden State Warriors from 2010 to 2015. He was signed and traded to the Warriors from the New York Knicks in the 2010 offseason. Lee's greatest success was with the Warriors, with whom he won an NBA championship in 2015 in his fifth and final season with the team.
Lee was the first Knick to make the All-Star team since Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell in 2001. He was also the Warriors' first All-Star since Latrell Sprewell in 1997. Lee was named to the 2013 All-Star Game as a reserve representing the Western Conference. He recorded a career-high 22 rebounds against the Spurs and achieved his third-ever triple-double against the Charlotte Bobcats with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. Lee finished the season with averages of 18.5 points and 11.2 rebounds per game, and led the league in double-doubles with 56.
Lee suffered a strained left hamstring in the final game of the 2014 preseason, causing him to miss 24 of the first 25 games of the season. He was replaced in the Warriors' starting lineup by Draymond Green, who continued to start even after Lee recovered. On January 27, 2015, Lee scored a season-high 24 points in a 113–111 overtime loss to the Chicago Bulls. He won his first NBA championship with the Warriors when they defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2015 NBA Finals in six games.
On July 27, 2015, Lee was traded to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Gerald Wallace and Chris Babb. This trade was motivated by the Warriors' desire to offload his salary due to his limited role on the team.
The Purpose of Basketball Nets: Function and Design
You may want to see also
Explore related products
David Lee's post-retirement career
David Lee, the American former professional basketball player, retired from the NBA in November 2017. Lee had a 12-year career in the NBA, playing for five teams, including the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, and San Antonio Spurs.
Lee has been keeping busy since his retirement from professional basketball. In 2019, Lee married Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Olivia, in June 2021. Lee has also been pursuing educational endeavours and is currently working on a Master's degree in Sports Business and Management.
Lee has also been investing in real estate and start-ups. He has properties in West Hollywood, California, and Fisher Island, Miami, and has reportedly been associated with the venture capital firm Social Capital. These investments have contributed to his financial security, with a reported net worth of around $40 million.
In addition to his business ventures, Lee has made several appearances in media and entertainment. Prior to his retirement, in 2007, he appeared on the game show "Family Feud" during NBA Players vs Mothers week to raise money for charity. He has also made cameo appearances in the TV series "Lipstick Jungle" and "The Electric Company," as well as the 2009 movie "When in Rome." Lee has also shown support for his wife's tennis career, being spotted in the audience during her matches at the U.S. Open.
Understanding Basketball: High Average Personal Scores Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
David Lee's personal life
David Lee, the former professional basketball player, announced his retirement from the sport in November 2017, bringing an end to a illustrious 12-year career in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Lee's retirement marked the conclusion of a chapter defined by his hard work, tenacity, and significant contributions to the game.
Lee's personal life has been just as remarkable as his basketball career. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 29, 1983, Lee exhibited a passion and talent for basketball from a young age. He attended Chaminade College Preparatory School, where he excelled in the sport and established himself as a prominent player. Lee's skills didn't go unnoticed, and he earned a slew of accolades and honors during his high school career, setting the tone for his future success.
Lee's stellar performance led to him being recruited by the University of Florida, where he continued to shine on the court. During his college career, he made significant contributions to the team's success, including helping lead the Florida Gators to their first-ever NCAA championship title in 2005. Lee's college career cemented his status as a promising young player with a bright future in the NBA.
Off the court, Lee has a well-rounded and fulfilling personal life. He is known for his philanthropic efforts and has actively supported various charitable causes throughout his career. Lee has been particularly involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, using his platform as a professional athlete to bring joy and hope to children facing critical illnesses. His dedication to giving back and making a positive impact extends beyond the basketball court and into the communities he engages with.
Lee has also explored business ventures outside of basketball. He has invested in a number of businesses, showing an interest in diversifying his portfolio and building a stable future beyond his athletic career. These ventures demonstrate Lee's foresight and commitment to securing a sustainable life for himself and his family.
David Lee's retirement from basketball allowed him to focus on his personal life and explore new passions. He has since ventured into broadcasting, providing basketball analysis for networks like ESPN. Lee's retirement life also includes a focus on health and wellness, as he has been known to advocate for healthy living and maintain a personal fitness regimen.
Ferrell's Basketball Warm-Up Routine: A Hilarious Workout
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, David Lee retired from basketball in November 2017.
David Lee retired from basketball because he wanted to play for a team that was a contender or a team where he could play significant minutes. He also wanted to explore new career opportunities outside of basketball.
David Lee played for the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, and San Antonio Spurs during his 12-year NBA career.
