Joe Devance retires from the PBA
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel forward Joe Devance says goodbye to the PBA after announcing his retirement after 16 years of pro basketball with 12 championships, including a rare Grand Slam, to his name.
The 40-year-old announced on Wednesday, June 1, on his social media account only four days before the opening of PBA Season 47.
“I’m sad to say that now is the time to call it a career. I gave the game of basketball my body, mind, and soul -- everything I had. Now is the time to focus on my kids and family,” Devance said.
Devance added,
“I have mixed feelings about this post. I have spent 30 years playing basketball and the past 16 years playing professional basketball in the PBA. I have made and built so many relationships within that time that will remain in my memories for a lifetime.”
JDV’s journey in the PBA began three years after graduating from University of Texas in El Paso in 2004, and was drafted as the first overall pick in the 2007 PBA Rookie Draft by expansion team Welcoat.
An unexpected trade then took place that landed JDV under coach Tim Cone’s helm with the Alaska Aces where he became the reliable player for Cone, reaching the finals for a total of three times and finally winning the 2010 Fiesta Conference.
After some time, Devance saw himself getting traded to Air21 then to B-Meg, reuniting with his former coach Tim Cone.
The Filipino-American forward then teamed up with the “Big Three” of James Yap, Marc Pingris, and PJ Simon, helping the Purefoods franchise win five PBA crowns, with the San Mig Coffee Mixers completing a Grand Slam in the 2013-2014 season.
His glory days with Purefoods were cut off and after a multi-team trade, Devance reunited yet again with Cone in Ginebra and as they say, the rest of his history.
Devance, an eight-time All-Star and a three-time Mythical Second Team member, now ends his career with the Ginebra and stated that he will spend his retirement years with his family.
Tags: #PBA, #basketball, #Ginebra