---

The Boston Celtics announced today that the club has waived forward Rick Fox, in order to facilitate his retirement from the NBA. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"We were aware of Rick's medical situation when we made the trade," said Celtics Executive Director of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge. "He has been a true professional and will always be a member of the Celtics family, especially considering this is where he started his career. We wish him well and are confident he will be successful in whatever he chooses to pursue next."

A member of the Celtics for six seasons (1991-97), Fox enjoyed a solid NBA career, posting career averages of 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. The 13-year veteran has spent the last seven seasons with the Lakers claiming three NBA Championships. He returned to the Celtics this summer as part of a five-player trade with the Lakers on August 13. His finest year as a pro came in 1996-97 when he established career-bests in scoring (15.4 ppg), steals (2.20 spg, 4th in the NBA) and three-pointers made (101) and attempted (278).

After being selected by the Boston Celtics in the first round (24th overall)of the 1991 NBA Draft, Fox was named to the 1991-92 NBA All-Rookie Second Team, averaging 8.0 points per game for the Celtics. He also became the Celtics first rookie to start on opening night since Larry Bird in 1979.

He started his career in college with the North Carolina Tar Heels, and was drafted to the pros in 1991 by the Boston Celtics, where he became the team's first rookie to start on opening night since Larry Bird in 1979. After six seasons with the Celtics, including a season as their team captain, he played seven seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, three of those seasons as the team's captain. While with the Lakers he earned 3 NBA championships.

The announcement follows several months of speculation as to whether he would return to the game this season, following injuries to his foot, neck and back. It was announced in August that he was traded back to the Boston Celtics.

According to his spokesperson, Staci Wolfe, "He has been rehabbing diligently all summer in the hopes of returning for the upcoming season, but unfortunately his body is simply not responding."

As far as his future plans Wolfe added, "Fortunately he's in the position of having several options to pursue, in the next phase of his career." He'll undoubtedly pursue acting, already having laid the groundwork during his off-seasons with well received performances as a series regular in the HBO series, "Oz" and in Spike Lee's "He Got Game."