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Former Cleveland Cavalier Richard Jefferson retires from NBA with tribute to his late father

Jefferson's father "Big Rich" was killed in a drive by shooting in September
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) Richard Jefferson #24 of the Cleveland Cavaliers at Cleveland Clinic Courts on September 25, 2017 in Independence, Ohio.

In his first Instagram post, a tribute to his late father, veteran forward Richard Jefferson announced his retirement from the NBA on Saturday after 17 seasons.

View this post on Instagram

In the post Jefferson says in the past month he has “dealt with two life changing events back to back.” He goes on the explain the first was his decision to retire, the second was the death of his father Richard “Big Rich” Jefferson.

The elder Jefferson was killed in a drive by shooting in Compton, California last month.

Richard Jefferson was selected 13th overall in the 2001 NBA Draft by the New Jersey Nets before going on to play for the San Antonio Spurs, Milwaukee Bucks, Utah Jazz, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets.

Jefferson was a member of the Cavaliers’ championship team in 2016 and became a fan favorite with his “Road Trippin” podcast alongside fellow veteran Channing Frye.

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