Citing health issues, Chinese basketball star Mengke Bateer, the first from China to play for an NBA championship-winning team, has officially ended his career at the age of 40.
Bateer said on Tuesday that although he is bowing out of the limelight, he will still continue inspiring young talents through a youth basketball training program.
Hailing from Inner Mongolia, Bateer was able to rise as one of the most prominent and most successful Chinese figures in the world of basketball.
"It's really emotional to bid farewell to the game that I've played for almost 30 years," a teary-eyed Bateer shared.
"But I'm viewing it as both a happy ending as well as a new start because I will be able to join hands with my idol to continue working in the sport off the court. I won't leave the sport after retiring, and I hope more youngsters can fulfill their dreams through basketball like I did," the 39-year-old basketball veteran added.
His farewell announcement was held on Tuesday and was attended by the legendary NBA center, Hakeem Olajuwon.
Bateer earned worldwide recognition upon joining NBA's Denver Nuggets in 2001. After he was traded to San Antonio Spurs the next season, he was able to win a championship tilt.
Recounting his golden days in basketball, he shared that "the season [he] spent with the Spurs was the most rewarding spell in [his] career," adding that "team spirit and work ethic" inspired him a lot.
Bateer returned to play in the Chinese Basketball Association in 2005 and became one of the most dominant centers in the league.
Asked about his only regret in his career, he cited his failing to win a domestic league title during his time with the Beijing Ducks (1997-2002) and Xinjiang Flying Tigers (2007-2013).