Damion Lee, who played a part in the Golden State Warriors’ 2022 NBA championship win, has announced his retirement from the sport. The announcement came via an Instagram post on May 12. Lee played for seven seasons in the NBA.
“I appreciate all of my coaches, teammates, athletic trainers, co-workers that I’ve came across in my career,” Lee wrote. “I hope that I was able to make a positive impact on your lives as you have on mine! This game has meant everything to me, so much that I put my body through the wringer over the course of the last 15 years…but that time has come to an end.”
A Seven-Season NBA Career
Lee played 315 games across his NBA career. He represented the Atlanta Hawks (2017-18), Warriors (2018-22), and Phoenix Suns (2022-23, 2024-25). Across his career, Lee averaged 7.8 points per game, along with 1.3 assists and 0.6 steals.
His most productive season came in 2019-20 when he averaged 12.7 points and 2.7 assists per game for the Warriors. During that season, he started in 36 of his 49 appearances.
Role in the 2022 Title-Winning Warriors Team
Lee played four games off the bench in the 2022 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. He scored nine points in those games. After his time with the Warriors, Lee signed with the Suns on a $2.1 million contract for the 2022-23 season.
During the 2022-23 season, his first with the Suns, Lee ranked third in the NBA in three-point percentage (.445). However, he missed the following season due to rehabbing a rare double posterior root repair of his meniscus.
From the G League to the NBA
Lee’s NBA debut came with the Atlanta Hawks in 2018. Prior to that, he played professionally with the Maine Red Claws of the NBA G League in the 2016-17 season.
A Baltimore native, Lee’s college career began at Drexel University. He then moved to the University of Louisville for his final season, earning an All-ACC Second Team selection in 2015-16.
Family Ties
Lee is related to Stephen and Seth Curry through marriage. He is the brother-in-law of both players. Lee is married to Sydel Curry, the daughter of former NBA guard Dell Curry.
“To my wife and kids, thank you for always being there and continuing to be my why and reason when I thought there wasn’t one,” Lee wrote on Instagram. “I love yall more than anything. On to the next chapter.”