Mumbai, Jun 25 (IANS): NBA legend Vince Carter was a committed leader, respected mentor and influential example on the court, his side Atlanta Hawks said in a statement on Thursday.

Carter announced his retirement from professional basketball on Thursday after 22 seasons in the league with eight teams.

"Over the last two years, Vince Carter has been a committed leader, respected mentor and influential example on the court, in the locker room and in the Atlanta community. Throughout his historic 22-year journey covering an unprecedented four different decades, his evolving career arc was perhaps like none other in league history – from Top 5 Draft Pick to Rookie of the Year to Slam Dunk Champion to superstar and eight-time All-Star to Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year and valuable role player.

"It's an honor to the Hawks organization that he completed his Hall-of-Fame career wearing Atlanta across his chest and representing our city," said Hawks in a statement.

After the NBA got postponed on March 11 due to the coronavirus pandemic, Carter said by the end of the month he was confident he had played his last game.

"I felt that it was pretty much over, and that's kind of how I handled it," Carter said. "If there was any disappointment because of the season, if there was any of that, it was kind of easier to put it aside and handle it that way. It's something bigger than my career," he was quoted as saying by USA Today on their website usatoday.com.