Conversation so far:
When was Pete Maravich's final season?
Pete Maravich's final season was the 1979–80 season
Why did Pete Maravich quit professional basketball?
Realizing that his knee problems would never go away, Pete Maravich retired at the end of that season.
When did Pete Maravich retire?
Realizing that his knee problems would never go away, Pete Maravich retired at the end of 1979–80 season.

Question: How many years did he play before his final season?
Self-contained rewrite: How many years did Pete Maravich play before his final season?