The Chicago Bulls are bringing back a beloved figure, hiring retired forward Taj Gibson as an assistant coach. Gibson announced his retirement from playing on Monday after 17 NBA seasons and will now join head coach Tiago Splitter's staff.
Gibson made his retirement official in a heartfelt post on social media. "Today is a very emotional day for me," Gibson wrote. "After 17 seasons in the NBA, I can honestly say I gave this game everything I had." He reflected on his journey from Brooklyn to the University of Southern California and finally to the Bulls, who drafted him 26th overall in 2009.
He thanked his family, teammates, coaches, and fans for their support throughout his career. Gibson emphasized that his retirement wasn't a final goodbye to basketball. "But this isn't goodbye to Basketball," he stated. "It's the beginning of a new chapter."
Gibson was a fan favorite and a core piece of some competitive Bulls teams in the early 2010s. He earned All-Rookie honors in 2010 and was a runner-up for the Sixth Man of the Year award in the 2013-14 season. Known for his toughness, energy, and reliable defense, he provided steady frontcourt production off the bench for nearly a decade in Chicago.
After his initial stint with the Bulls, Gibson became a valuable journeyman. He played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets, and Memphis Grizzlies. His experience across eight different franchises gives him a broad perspective he can now share with Chicago's players.
Gibson is stepping into a coaching role for the first time in his career. He has been hired as an assistant coach, joining Tiago Splitter's new staff with the Bulls. His immediate task will be to help develop the team's big men and instill the same hard-nosed identity he played with.
His understanding of the modern NBA, combined with his deep history with the Bulls organization, makes him a unique asset. Gibson's voice in the locker room could be vital for a team seeking stability.
The focus now shifts to integrating Gibson into the coaching staff and preparing for the future. The team's performance has been uneven, as shown by their recent results. They'll need to address defensive issues after allowing 149 points to Dallas and 127 to Orlando in consecutive games.
Fans can follow the team's upcoming schedule and player stats on our schedule and stats pages. Bringing in a respected veteran like Taj Gibson is a clear signal that the Bulls are committed to building a culture of resilience and hard work as they plan for the seasons ahead.
