After 18 seasons in the NBA, all but the last with the San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker announced his retirement on Monday.

“At the end of the season, I just knew it was time,” Parker told The Undefeated.

Parker, 37, had previously stated he wanted to play 20 years, and said that would still be possible if he desired to do so. But Parker said that despite a solid season in Charlotte, he no longer saw a reason to keep playing.

“For 17 years, every year that I started with the Spurs, I really thought that we had a good chance to win a championship,” Parker said. “And so it was very weird to arrive to a team and you’re like, ‘There is no way we’re going to win a championship.’ … And if I don’t play for a championship, I feel like, why are we playing?”

Parker did win four championships in San Antonio, and an NBA Finals MVP in 2007. Along with Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, he helped backbone a dynasty that competed for titles for over 15 years. More than likely, that — along with Parker’s international basketball achievements — will be enough to land him in the Hall of Fame.

“I feel very blessed to have played for great teams with great teammates and a great coach (Gregg Popovich),” Parker said. “What we had was very special. And it’s funny because that whole year in Charlotte, I realized even more that what we had (in San Antonio) was very, very special. We were so close as teammates. And even today, like two days ago, I was playing tennis with Timmy and Manu. We were talking about the old days, and you just realize how special it was.

“That is 17 years together and all the wins, and being the best in terms of playoff history wins and best trio, all the records. Now I’m starting to realize a little bit everything we accomplished.”