Tim Duncan pens thank you letter on Spurs website

Retiring Spurs forward Tim Duncan penned a letter on the team’s website thanking fans everywhere for their support during his 19-year career.

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Retiring Spurs forward Tim Duncan penned a letter on the team’s website thanking fans everywhere for their support during his 19-year career.

Duncan had not spoken publicly since San Antonio announced that he was calling it quits.

The Spurs selected Duncan with the No. 1 overall pick out of Wake Forest in the 1997 NBA draft, and he has spent his entire career with the franchise, leading the team to five championships. San Antonio won titles in 1999, 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2014.

• Duncan retires without a whimper | See SI’s best Duncan photos

You can read his letter below. 

If I asked to write a script for my career 19 years ago, there is no way I would’ve been able to dream up this journey

I stand here at the end of this ride and look back in awe of what I’ve experienced.

The wins and losses will be remembered, but what I’ll remember most are the people:

The fans inside the arena and out, the staff and coaches who pushed me and held me together, the teammates (and even opponents) who will be lifelong friends, sharing my ups and downs with family and close friends, and, most importantly, the snapshots of my kids growing up and reveling in watching Dad work.

Thank you to the city of San Antonio for the love and the support over these years. Thank you to the fans all over the world.

A native of the Virgin Islands, Duncan retires as the Spurs’ all-time leading scorer. He is a 15-time All-Star and has been a member of the All-Defensive First or Second team 15 times.