Fabricio Oberto Retires

[Update--5:57 p.m.]Sources tell CBSSports.com's Ben Golliver that the Blazers will work out Earl Barron, Dwayne Jones, Sean Marks and Shavlik Randolph. Ken Berger of CBSSports.com also confirms these names. The Blazers could also work out other players as well.Link

[Update -- 7:26 p.m.]One final workout attendee: Eric Boateng. Also,Ken Bergerreportsthat Fabricio Oberto agreed to make his contract fully non-guaranteed, saving the Blazers the remaining cost of his salary. -- Ben

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As je'mappelle has pointed out in the Fanshots, Fabrico Oberto has retired today due to a recurring heart condition. The story from the Blazers ishere. Oberto had experienced dizziness during the Blazers' game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.

"I made this decision to put my health and my family in front of basketball," said Oberto. "It was a tough decision to make after playing for so many years, but it was the right one."

Rich Cho has this quote:

We want to thank Fabricio for his professionalism and hard work during his short time here. It's unfortunate to lose him, but we respect his decision to do what's best for his health and his family.

Our sympathies and best wishes for continued health and a prosperous life go out to Fabricio.

Even though he spent but a short time in a Portland uniform we'll always remember him for his greatest hits, such as "Getting Off the Bench", "Getting Back On the Bench", "This is How You Defend the Pick and Roll, Stupid!", and my personal favorite, "SoThat'sWhat the Bottom of the Net Feels Like".

Godspeed, Fabricio.

Click through for the full release.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

FABRICIO OBERTO ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

PORTLAND, Ore. -Trail Blazers centerFabricio Obertohas announced today that he has retired from the game of basketball due to recurrent palpitations related to a prior cardiac condition.

Oberto experienced lightheadedness and dizziness during the first half of Portland's game at Milwaukee on Nov. 2.

"I made this decision to put my health and my family in front of basketball," said Oberto. "It was a tough decision to make after playing for so many years, but it was the right one."

In his sixth season in the NBA, Oberto appeared in each of Portland's first five games, averaging 1.4 points and 1.4 rebounds in 9.0 minutes.

“我们希望to thank Fabricio for his professionalism and hard work during his short time here," said Trail Blazers General ManagerRich Cho. "It's unfortunate to lose him, but we respect his decision to do what's best for his health and his family."

A native of Las Varillas, Argentina, Oberto played four seasons for the San Antonio Spurs (2005-09), winning an NBA Championship as the starting center in 2007, before spending last season with the Washington Wizards.

Oberto, 35, ends his career with NBA averages of 3.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 14.5 minutes in 336 games (128 starts).

A veteran of international play, Oberto was a member of the Argentine National Team that won the gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, took home the bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and won the silver medal at the 2002 FIBA World Championships.

The Trail Blazers roster currently stands at 14 players.