Newz Forum: BASKETBALL: Fox won't join Celtics

LOS ANGELES -- Rick Fox retired Thursday, ending a 13-year pro career during which he was part of three NBA championship teams with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Fox, beset by injuries last season, was traded by the Lakers to the Celtics on Aug. 6. It had been expected he would retire rather than report to Boston's training camp beginning Monday.

The Celtics, who were aware of Fox's injuries when they made the trade, waived him on Thursday to facilitate his retirement.

The 35-year-old forward averaged a career-low 4.8 points last season, when the Lakers were beaten by Detroit in the NBA Finals.

Fox was bothered by foot, neck and back injuries that limited him to 38 games. He spent the summer rehabilitating, but never fully recovered, his spokeswoman Staci Wolfe said.

"His foot was still not recovered, then he developed bulging discs in his neck and that affected his back," she said. "His body was not responding to the rehab."

Fox also is dealing with upheaval in his personal life. In August, he filed for divorce from singer-actress Vanessa Williams. The couple was married for five years and have a 4-year-old daughter. He also has a son from a previous relationship.

"He's been contemplating his future on all fronts," Wolfe said. "It's a new chapter for him. He's quite excited."

Fox began his NBA career in Boston, where he spent six seasons after being drafted out of North Carolina. He signed as a free agent with the Lakers in 1997 and spent seven seasons playing alongside Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant.

He had career averages of 9.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in 930 games.

Fox plans to remain in Los Angeles and continue an acting career he developed during his playing days.

His credits include the movies "Holes," "Eddie,'' "He Got Game," and "The Collectors." He had a recurring role on the HBO series "Oz," and guest-starred last season on the Lifetime series "1-800-Missing."