Today, San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan announced his retirement after 19 seasons in the NBA. During those 19 seasons, Duncan earned 5 NBA championship rings, a two time NBA MVP and was selected to 15 NBA All-Star Teams.

It occurred to me that Duncan has the sort of stature that would warrant him going around the NBA for one last season as Kobe Bryant did this past season with the Lakers. But that wouldn’t be Tim Duncan. He didn’t seek out the limelight. He went about his business and his business was winning NBA championships. The Spurs were very nearly as good as the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Western Conference this year. But perhaps Duncan doesn’t think he’s at the top of his game and doesn’t want to exit the game as anything less than a premier player. It’s not every professional athlete that is prepared to make such a decision.

In an era where professional athletes regularly make news for all the wrong reasons, Tim Duncan was the quiet superstar and a consummate gentleman. There is every reason to believe he will remain as such long after his playing days are over.