Marco Belinelli, the Italian shooting guard renowned for his time in the NBA, has officially announced his retirement from professional basketball at the age of 39. The announcement was made on his Instagram account, where he reflected on his career and expressed gratitude for the experiences and memories he gathered throughout his journey.

In his heartfelt message, Belinelli stated, "I gave it my heart. Every piece of me. Every single day. Basketball gave me everything… and I gave it everything I had. Saying goodbye isn't easy. But it's time." His career spanned 13 seasons in the NBA, during which he became a key figure with the San Antonio Spurs, helping the team secure an NBA Championship in 2014. That season, he averaged 11.4 points per game as an essential sixth man, showcasing his shooting prowess and ability to impact games from the bench.

Belinelli was originally selected as the 18th overall pick by the Golden State Warriors in the 2007 NBA Draft. Over the years, he played for several teams, including the Toronto Raptors, New Orleans Hornets, Chicago Bulls, and Sacramento Kings, among others. In the latter part of his career, he returned to Italy, where he played for Virtus Bologna, winning multiple accolades including the Lega Basket Serie A MVP in 2024.

His retirement marks the end of an impactful career, one that saw him leave a lasting legacy in both the NBA and European basketball. Belinelli's contributions on and off the court will be remembered as he transitions to the next chapter of his life, leaving behind a dream for the next generation of players to pursue.