NBA player Bruce Bowen from Spurs to announce retirement

According to an ESPN report, Bruce Bowen, 38, who helped helping the San Antonio Spurs win three championships and established himself as one of the premier perimeter defenders of the decade, is retiring.

Bowen told ESPN.com that he will formally announce his retirement at an afternoon news conference today and said he would elaborate more on his decision then.

Bowen made the NBA all-defensive first time five times, from 2003-04 through 2007-08, and was a three-time second-team selection from 2000-01 through 2002-03.

It is believed that Bowen, who became an unrestricted free agent Aug. 1 when the Milwaukee Bucks bought out the final year of his contract, has decided to step away from the game because of his growing desire to pursue off-court business and community interests as well as a career in broadcasting.