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Utah Jazz players pay respect to retiring Manu Ginobili

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 23: Manu Ginobili #20 of the San Antonio Spurs and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz hug after the game on March 23, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 23: Manu Ginobili #20 of the San Antonio Spurs and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz hug after the game on March 23, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)

Utah Jazz players Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert and Ricky Rubio joined in the praising of Manu Ginobili, who announced his retirement on Monday.

The NBA saw yet another legend’s career come to an end on Monday as San Antonio Spurs great Manu Ginobili announced that he’d be hanging it up prior to this upcoming season. There had been speculation that the 41-year-old could be calling it a career this offseason, and such has now been confirmed.

Ginobili had an incredible 23-year professional career, including 16 in the NBA, which saw him win four NBA Championships, a Euroleague Championship and an Olympic Gold Medal. Without a doubt, he’s one of the most storied athletes of our generation.

He was one of the great international players in the game and is often credited with pioneering the now common Eurostep. His relentless hustle, heart and clutch playmaking abilities certainly endeared him to Spurs fans, as well as to the rest of the league.

As such, much of the NBA spent the day singing Manu’s praises as a transcendent figure in the sport. Everyone from players current and past, to media members, to fans, to everyone in between had plenty to say in appreciation for Manu Ginobili. And the Utah Jazz were no exception to that mix.

Both Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert took to Twitter to express their praise and appreciation for Ginobili who has most certainly solidified himself as one of the greatest international players to ever play the game–

Meanwhile, Ricky Rubio was featured in a clip from NBA TV, referring to Manu as a ‘one of a kind’ player–

Without a doubt, all the sentiments expressed by these Jazzmen ring true. Throughout the years, Ginobili was a true competitor and an irreplaceable part of so many formidable San Antonio Spurs teams. He and the Jazz did battle many times, with the staunch Spurs often coming out on top. And though his electrifying play may have put the Jazz on the losing end of many of those contests, I’m certain most of the Utah faithful have developed a deep admiration and respect for his game.

Ginobili is pretty much a sure-fire future Hall of Famer for his storied career and influence as an international sensation. His contribution to the NBA will most certainly be missed.

It’s almost hard to believe that the once rock solid core of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, who will be suiting up for the Charlotte Hornets this season, is no more. All good things must come to an end, and there has certainly been a dramatic shift in San Antonio.

I join in with the Utah Jazz players who expressed appreciation, as well as with players and fans across the league when I say from the bottom of my heart – #GraciasManu.

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