MIAMI (Estados Unidos) – Carlos Delfino, former NBA standout and emblem of Argentina’s Golden Generation, has officially announced his retirement at the age of 43, closing an unforgettable chapter in his country’s basketball history. The veteran swingman is the last active player from that legendary group that captured the Olympic gold medal in Athens 2004. He shared his decision in an interview with the YouTube channel Doble Doble. His final appearance came last March with Cento of Italy’s Serie A2, where he averaged 11 points over 17 games during the 2024-25 season. With his farewell, the final link to the generation that transformed Argentine basketball comes to an end. A group led by Manu Ginóbili, Luis Scola, Andrés Nocioni, Fabricio Oberto, and others, several of whom also reached the Olympic podium in Beijing 2008, earned the bronze medal.
Delfino was selected 25th overall in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons, the highest draft pick ever for an Argentine player, and made his league debut with the same franchise a year later. Over eight NBA seasons, he also suited up for Toronto, Milwaukee, and Houston. His career was interrupted for four years due to injury, but he reinvented himself and extended his playing days in Europe, primarily in Italy, with additional stints in Spain and Russia. Representing Argentina, Delfino’s resume includes four gold medals (South American Championship 2004, Olympic Games 2004, and the FIBA AmeriCup 2011 and 2022), one silver (AmeriCup 2007), and one bronze (Olympic Games 2008). His last appearance with the national team came in 2023 at the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament held in Santiago del Estero, in front of home fans. Delfino’s retirement marks the definitive end of a golden era — but also the legacy of a relentless competitor. FIBA