USC Basketball: Trojans Legend Gets Standing Ovation In Latest NBA Comeback

His playing days are nearing an end.

Former USC Trojans men's basketball standout Taj Gibson appears to be nearing the end of his NBA run.

Since being selected by the Chicago Bulls with the No. 26 pick in 2009 out of USC, the 6'9" big man has enjoyed an extended pro career. He has been a frequent flier on Tom Thibodeau-coached clubs for much of his tenure in the league, having played for Thibodeau on the Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves and now the New York Knicks.

Gibson had been out of the league to start the year, only linking up with the Knicks as essentially a deep-bench center/power forward on a non-guaranteed December 15th deal. New York waived him earlier this month, but has since brought him back on a 10-day deal, the team announced in a press statement yesterday.

When he checked into the rolling Knicks' latest blowout win (his first appearance back with New York since being cut), a 118-103 home victory last night, the Madison Square Garden faithful gave the 38-year-old his flowers, offering the New York native an emphatic standing ovation.

After the entire arena chanted his name, @TajGibson got a standing ovation in his latest return to MSG.

One of the most respected players in the game. 👏 👏 👏 pic.twitter.com/UrsiH9L23h

— USC Men's Basketball (@USC_Hoops) January 31, 2024

Gibson, a defense-first bruise without much of a jumper, has clearly reached the final stages of his pro career, given that he's toggling between non-guaranteed contracts and 10-day deals. The former Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and two-time All-Pac-10 teamer (one Second-Team appearance, one Third-Team) has enjoyed a productive run on several deep playoff clubs, but has yet to go the distance.

This 31-17 Knicks club has emerged as one of the East's best during the 2023-24 regular season, but may be one move away from winning it all. Will New York be able to retain Gibson, now basically a human victory cigar/break glass in case of emergency piece, if it keeps making moves?