Earl Watson

Portland Trail Blazers guard Earl Watson jokes with teammates while watching the Blazers face the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Denver on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014. ( AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

(David Zalubowski)

CLEVELAND, Ohio – After 13 years, point guard Earl Watson will retire from the NBA to accept a coaching position with the San Antonio Spurs' NBA Development League affiliate, the Austin Toros, a league source informed Northeast Ohio Media Group. 

The source spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team has yet to make an official announcement. 

Watson, 35, finishes up a phenomenal NBA career in which he was never the fastest or the most athletic, but was simply intelligent and efficient.  When he was taken with the 40th overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, no one expected him to play past a decade. 

His basketball mind is like no other.  He studies the game thoroughly.  That's how he made it this far. 

Coaching is in his blood.  He has been mentored by some of the greatest coaches in John Wooden, Hubie Brown, Jerry Sloan, George Karl and the list goes on.  He can now add Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich in that group. 

For his career he averaged 6.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists.  He played for Seattle, Memphis, Denver, Oklahoma City, Indiana, Utah and Portland. 

Watson had a great run, but his best is yet to come.