Longtime NBA forward Danilo Gallinari announced his retirement from professional basketball Tuesday morning, confirming the decision in an Instagram post.
“Today, with a heart full of gratitude, I am announcing my retirement from a career I’ve always dreamed of,” Gallinari wrote. “A career built through hard work, sacrifice, victories, defeats, teammates who became brothers, guidance from my coaches, and, of course, family and friends that were with me every step of the way.
“It’s been an incredible journey filled with countless memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. To those who believed in me, to all those who supported me, and to those who shared every moment with me – thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I’m beyond excited for the next chapter!”
Danilo Gallinari Spent 16 Years In The NBA
Gallinari, 37, was selected sixth overall by the New York Knicks in the 2008 NBA draft. The 6-foot-10 wing began his NBA career with the Knicks before being dealt to the Denver Nuggets in the 2011 blockbuster trade that sent Carmelo Anthony to New York.
Despite missing two seasons due to torn ACLs, Gallinari was one of 299 players to have played at least 14 NBA seasons, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
Today, with a heart full of gratitude, I am announcing my retirement from the career I’ve always dreamed of.
It’s been an incredible journey filled with countless memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. 🏀❤️ pic.twitter.com/UjRhTL8ZdP
— DANILO GALLINARI (@gallinari8888) December 2, 2025
Gallinari was also sidelined for the majority of his rookie season because of a back injury.
In addition to the Knicks and Nuggets, Gallinari also played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, and Milwaukee Bucks.
Gallinari Last Played In The 2024 Playoffs
In 777 career NBA regular-season games, Gallinari averaged 14.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 28.8 minutes per outing with a shooting line of 42.8/38.1/87.6.
Gallinari’s last game in the NBA was Game 6 of the Bucks’ first round loss to the Indiana Pacers in the 2024 playoffs. He scored one point in just three minutes of action.
Per Basketball Reference, Gallinari knocked down 1,456 career 3-pointers across 14 seasons, which currently ranks 61st on the league’s all-time list.
According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Gallinari is also the second-highest drafted Italian player ever, behind former No. 1 overall selection Andrea Bargnani, and his 11,607 points are the most of any Italian player in NBA history.
Gallinari went on to play for the Puerto Rican team Vaqueros de Bayamón last season and represented Italy at this year’s EuroBasket.
