Alex Abrines, the veteran Spanish shooting guard and forward, announced his retirement from professional basketball at age 31 on Tuesday. The announcement came via an emotional statement posted on his social media accounts.
In his message, Abrines thanked fans, teammates, and coaches for supporting him throughout a journey that spanned more than a decade. He described the decision as difficult but carefully considered, saying basketball gave him “unforgettable experiences, lifelong friends, and moments of glory.”
Abrines began his professional career in 2010 with Axarquía before moving to Unicaja Málaga and then FC Barcelona, where he became one of Europe’s top young players. In 2016, he earned the EuroLeague Rising Star Award before making the leap to the NBA with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
He spent three seasons in Oklahoma City, appearing in 174 regular-season games and averaging 5.3 points per contest while shooting nearly 37% from three-point range. He also participated in 11 playoff games, providing valuable shooting off the bench.
After returning to Spain in 2019, Abrines rejoined Barcelona, where he added more trophies to his résumé, including three Spanish League titles (2014, 2021, 2023) and three Spanish Cups (2013, 2021, 2022).
Over his EuroLeague career, he played in 273 games and averaged 6.4 points per game with a career three-point percentage above 41%.
Abrines also represented the Spanish national team, which he called a source of immense pride. He highlighted his early years in Mallorca, his time in Málaga, Barcelona, and the NBA as part of what he described as “a dream.”
He closed his statement by expressing gratitude to fans, writing, “You have lifted me more times than you can imagine. I leave with a full heart and peace of mind.”
