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Philadelphia 76ers forward Elton Brand announced today that he has informed the team of his intention to retire at the conclusion of the 2016 preseason.
“Elton Brand symbolizes professionalism and class in every sense,” said Sixers President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo. “A stellar college and 17-year pro career speaks to his high-level basketball ability, and his profound impact on people and his teammates represents what kind of incredible human being he is. On behalf of the entire organization, it has been an honor to have the opportunity to work with Elton and to have him be part of the 76ers’ family and larger Philadelphia community.”
Over 17 NBA seasons, Brand appeared in 1,058 career games with 868 starts for Chicago, the Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia, Dallas and Atlanta. The 6’ 8” Brand posted career averages of 16 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks per game. His 1,828 blocks rank him 20th all-time in NBA history. He played 34,910 career minutes, which ranks him 67th all-time. Brand was also the recipient of the 2005-06 Joe Dumars Trophy, presented each season to the player who exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship on the court.
Brand originally joined the Sixers on July 9, 2008, when he signed a free-agent contract with the team. He spent four seasons in Philadelphia before spending 2012-15 with Dallas and Atlanta. Brand then signed with the Sixers on January 4, 2016 and then again on September 7, 2016. All told as a member of the Sixers, Brand appeared in 263 games (222 starts) and averaged 13 points and seven rebounds in 30.4 minutes per contest.
A two-time NBA All-Star, Brand was the first overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls and was named Rookie of the Year.
A native of Peekskill, N.Y., Brand was named a McDonald’s All-American following his senior year of high school and attended Duke University. In his second and final season at Duke, Brand helped the Blue Devils reach the NCAA Championship game while also earning consensus National Player of the Year honors.
An active member in the community throughout his NBA career, Brand established the Elton Brand Foundation in the spring of 2000 and donated $235,000 to open a reading and learning center in his hometown in 2004.
Brand is also a founding member and president of Gibraltar Films, a company engaged in film investment, acquisition, production, and distribution of motion pictures.
