San Antonio Spurs guard T.J. Ford has retired from the NBA, after suffering yet another injury to his neck in an eight-year career dotted by neck and spine trouble. Ford announced he was taking an indefinite leave of absence following a March 7 stinger during the day on Monday, but announced that he would retire on Twitter late Monday.
Ford, 28, played for the Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers and Spurs in his eight seasons as a pro after being selected by the Bucks with the ninth pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. Ford missed the entirety of the 2004-05 season with a spinal cord contusion, but returned to Milwaukee to start a career-high 70 games in 2005-06.
Ford never played more than 74 games in any NBA season, and averaged 12.2 points and 5.8 assists per game in his career. He had appeared in 14 games this season with the Spurs, averaging 3.6 points and 3.2 assists per game.
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