Chris Webber retires from NBA

OAKLAND, Calif., March 26 (UPI) -- Chris Webber, who averaged more than 20 points a game during his 15-year NBA career, announced his retirement from the NBA Wednesday.

Webber -- a 6-10 center who played in five all-star games -- joined the Golden State Warriors Jan. 29, but saw limited action because of a sore left knee. He hadn't played since March 2, one day after he turned 35.

"Overall I'm very happy," Webber said. "I never would've thought that I would have been able to play 15 years in the NBA against my idols. I got a chance to play against (Michael) Jordan to an Isiah Thomas, guys I grew up with."

He retired with career averages of 20.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 831 games.

Webber -- a first-team all-American at Michigan -- was taken by the Orlando Magic as the first pick of the 1993 NBA draft. The Magic traded Webber to Golden State, where he was selected NBA rookie of the year. He also played for Washington, Sacramento, Philadelphia and Detroit before rejoining the Warriors.