A Stellar Career
Gay, 38, was selected eighth overall in the 2006 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies, where he spent his first six-and-a-half seasons. He then played for the Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, and Utah Jazz. His tenure with the Grizzlies remains notable, as he ranks among the franchise’s all-time leaders in points (fifth), rebounds (fifth), and steals (fourth).
Career Achievements
Throughout his 1,120 regular-season games (779 starts), Gay accumulated:
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17,642 career points (91st on the NBA’s all-time scoring list)
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15.8 points per game
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5.6 rebounds per game
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2.0 assists per game
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1.1 steals per game
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Shooting line: .452/.346/.799
Gay’s impressive stats earned him a third-place finish in Rookie of the Year voting in 2007 and a spot on the All-Rookie First Team.
Post-Retirement Plans
In his Players’ Tribune article, Gay expressed excitement about exploring new opportunities:
“I’m 38 years old… I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me. I just need to figure out what exactly that means. Maybe it’s public speaking, or media, or business… I have a contracting company, a real estate company, and the PickUp USA Fitness gym in Towson, Maryland. Now it’s just a matter of finding one big new thing that I love.”
Gay’s career earnings exceeded $184 million, providing a solid foundation for his post-basketball endeavors.
Legacy
Though Gay never made an All-Star Game appearance, his consistent performance and dedication earned him respect from fans and peers alike. As he embarks on this new chapter, his impact on the NBA and his future pursuits will undoubtedly be significant.