Former Sixer Andre Iguodala retires after 19 NBA seasons and four titles

Andre Iguodala, who started his career with the 76ers, has retired after 19 NBA seasons.

The Sixers selected Iguodala out of Arizona with the No. 9 pick in the 2004 draft as they tried to forecast a future beyond the prime years of Allen Iverson. Iguodala was soon joined by Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner as potential franchise pillars before the team changed course and started “the Process” era in earnest.

After eight seasons in Philly, Iguodala was shipped to the Denver Nuggets as part of a four-team deal in 2014. Iguodala’s Nuggets lost to the Warriors in the NBA playoffs that year and he joined Golden State the next season.

It would prove to be a prudent choice. Iguodala spent eight seasons with the Warriors and won four titles, serving as a key figure in their dynasty run.

He averaged 11.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in his career. But Iguodala’s best numbers came in Philly, where he produced 15.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists and made an All-Star team.

Shortly after Iguodala’s retirement was announced, Iverson took to social media to congratulate him on a stellar career.

“Congratulations, lil bro!” Iverson wrote on Instagram. “So proud of you. Anybody that’s ever been around you knows how brilliant you are, so after retirement I know you’ll do great things. Hoop wise next stop Hall of Fame!”

Iverson could be on to something. The day Iguodala announced his retirement, Warriors owner Joe Lacob alluded to the franchise’s plan to retire his No. 9 jersey in the near future.

“Andre Iguodala was a huge part of four NBA championship teams with the Warriors and will forever be remembered for his many contributions to our franchise,” Lacob said. “We look forward to raising No. 9 to the rafters in Chase Center at some point in the future, and we wish him well in what will assuredly be a very successful post-playing career venture into the business world.”