Álex Abrines Announces Retirement from Basketball
Álex Abrines, who will turn 32 on August 1, has decided to retire from professional basketball. While it may seem that he is hanging up his sneakers young, his career—filled with opportunities and remarkable achievements—mirrors that of a player who is nearing 40. The forward for Barça and a prominent member of the Spanish national team made this announcement via a heartfelt message on social media this past Tuesday.
The Mallorca native had a contract with the blue-and-red team until June 30, 2026, but both parties reached an agreement to part ways, as confirmed by the Catalan club. This decision marks the end of a memorable career that saw Abrines make an indelible mark in the world of basketball.
Abrines started his journey with Unicaja and made two separate stints with Barça. He also ventured into the NBA, playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Atlanta Hawks. He was part of one of the best generations of Spanish basketball, which paved the way for substantial success both at the club level and with the national team.
In his announcement, he expressed, “From my beginnings in Mallorca, through Málaga and Barcelona, my time in the NBA with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and, of course, my return home to Barça, I have lived a dream. I have also had the privilege of representing the Spanish national team, something I will always carry with immense pride.”
Abrines further elaborated on the challenging decision to retire, saying, “After many years in my professional career, I have made the difficult decision to retire. It hasn’t been an easy choice but rather a well-considered one. Thank you for always being by my side.” His heartfelt message underscored not only his struggles but also the love and support from fans.
He continued, “This journey wouldn’t have been possible without the support of many individuals—coaches, teammates, medical staff—but above all, you, the fans. Thank you for every applause, each message of encouragement, even in the toughest times. You have held me up more times than you can imagine. I leave with peace, my heart full, and my conscience clear.”
Abrines also acknowledged his future plans, stating, “Basketball will always remain a part of my life, but now it is time to be with my family and enjoy a new chapter. Thank you for being by my side, and thank you for traveling with me on this journey.”
Having started his career at La Salle Palma and advanced through Unicaja’s youth divisions, Abrines joined Barça in 2012 at the age of 18. During his first term with the team, he won one league title, one Copa del Rey, and one Supercopa in just four seasons. His pursuit of excellence then led him to the NBA with the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he played 174 games from 2016 to 2019.
Following a period of struggle with depression, Abrines made a triumphant return to Barça beginning in the 2019-2020 season. His second stint lasted six seasons, during which he secured two additional league titles and two more Copa del Rey championships. In total, Abrines became the sixth player with the most appearances in the Endesa League for the Barça, registering 339 games. He stands behind legends such as Nacho Solozábal (350), Rodrigo de la Fuente (362), Andrés Jiménez (376), Juan Antonio San Epifanio ‘Epi’ (422), and Juan Carlos Navarro (689).
Moreover, as a sharpshooter, Abrines departs as the third player to have scored the most three-pointers in the league while wearing the Barça jersey—amassing 474 shots with a commendable 41.5% success rate. He is only outdone by Epi (627, 42.9%) and Navarro (1,179, 38.3%).
Implementing his commitment and love for the game, Álex Abrines leaves behind not just records but a legacy of inspiration and determination. His journey has touched the hearts of many, and as he moves on to new adventures, the basketball world certainly will miss this talented player.