Richard Jefferson is ending his 15-year NBA career on the highest of notes.
While celebrating winning a championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, a 93-89 Game 7 win over the Warriors, Jefferson announced that he was now going to retire.
"I am retiring. I am retiring," Jefferson said happily, in an interview with Fox Sports Ohio on Sunday.
A very, very, happy Richard Jefferson just told me in Cavs room he's retiring. "I'm done. I'm done." And then -- "I need a cigar"
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) June 20, 2016
Richard Jefferson says he's retiring. "Hell of a way to go out."
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) June 20, 2016
Earlier in his career, Jefferson played in two NBA Finals with the then-New Jersey Nets, but fell short of winning a ring in both of those appearances. He then had a journeyman career, making stops in San Antonio, Milwaukee, Utah, Golden State and Dallas before landing in Cleveland this year. And although Jefferson wasn't viewed as a big time signing in the offseason, he made a difference with the Cavs this season.
Jefferson was a strong contributor in the postseason, coming off the bench to provide energy and veteran guile. He also started in place of a concussed Kevin Love in Game 3 of the Finals, finishing with nine points and eight rebounds in 33 minutes. Jefferson continually provided a spark off the bench for the Cavs for the rest of the series, and now that he won a championship, he will be retiring on top. The perfect ending to a long NBA career.
