NBA Great Goes Viral With Retirement Wakeboarding Clip
Tim Duncan is making waves in his retirement.
The Basketball Hall of Famer was seen wakeboarding in a viral clip recorded by Patrick Ngongba II, the four-star center in Paul VI High School’s 2024 class. Ngongba is sitting in a speed boat as he records, tilting the camera to reveal Duncan riding waves just behind him.
The former Spurs forward looks ready for vacation, bedecked in red swim shorts and long dreadlocks. He’s backed by Nelly’s song “Country Grammar.” The caption on the post reads: “Tim Duncan is absolutely shredding retirement.” According to USA Today, this was one activity in a “great week of workouts” Ngongba and Duncan shared at their unidentified vacation spot.
Tim Duncan is absolutely shredding retirement ????????♂️
— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) August 3, 2023
(via @NgongbaPatrick) pic.twitter.com/yNfKGYmYQP
Before he entered the NBA, Duncan had dreams of becoming an Olympic swimmer. Growing up in the U.S. Virgin Islands, he developed strong water skills at an early age. Then Hurricane Hugo swept through St. Croix in 1989, destroying the town’s swimming facilities and Duncan’s aspirations. He tried switching to the ocean, but a fear of sharks deterred him before he finally took up basketball at 14.
The five-time champion went on to have one of the most celebrated careers in the history of the NBA. He was selected as the Spurs number one pick in the 1997 NBA draft and went on to spend his entire 19-year-career with the team.
Ngongba is a rising star in his own right, hailing from a family of famed players. The young baller received a plethora of college offers. He confirmed last month to On3 that he’s seriously considering several, including Duke, Kansas State, Providence, and UConn.