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Former Bulls Top Pick, Brand Retires from NBA

17-year veteran Elton Brand became the latest elder star to have retired from the NBA this past year.
 
Acting more as a mentor and a teacher, Brand played sparingly for the Philadelphia 76ers last season, which is exactly what he wanted to do. Brand came out of a semi-retirement in 2015 to provide guidance as a player to the Sixers' young big men like Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor. 
Happy with that role, he returned to the Sixers on a one-year deal right before the start of training camp. However, Brand announced Thursday that he won't play out that contract and has decided to retire from the NBA.
 
Despite suffering some injury setbacks, Brand had a stellar NBA career. He was the Bulls' No. 1 overall pick in 1999 and immediately made an impact, averaging a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds and earning co-Rookie of the Year honors.
 
 
He was then traded in 2001 to the Clippers, where he made the All-Star team twice. Also, after not making the playoffs for years, Brand led L.A. to the postseason in 2006. Brand was a force to be reckoned with that season and averaged 24.7 points (on 52.7 percent shooting), 10 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots.
 
Yet after suffering an Achilles injury in 2007, Brand became a shell of his former self. He signed with the Sixers in 2008 and was a solid player for four seasons in Philadelphia. Brand finished his career with stops in Dallas, Atlanta and then back in Philadelphia last season. He will finish his career with averages of 15.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 17 seasons.

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