National Basketball Association

Antoine Walker to retire from basketball

Published Apr. 8, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Three-time All-Star Antoine Walker is retiring from basketball, telling his Idaho Stampede teammates Saturday that he had decided to call it quits.

The Stampede were appearing in their D-League finale against Bakersfield Jam on Saturday night. Walker was expected to make a formal announcement of his retirement in the coming days, the team said.

The 6-foot-9 Walker, the sixth overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, had his best years with the Boston Celtics, where he averaged over 20 points in five of his eight seasons.

In a 12-year NBA career, he also had stints with Dallas and Atlanta, and won an NBA championship with the Miami Heat in 2006. Walker last played in the NBA with the Timberwolves in the 2007-08 season.

In recent years, the 35-year-old Walker also became known for his bankruptcy issues off the court and reportedly sold his championship ring to help pay off his debts.