National Basketball Association

Story of Tim Duncan turning down Obama's Olympic invite is so Tim Duncan

Published Nov. 15, 2016 3:12 p.m. ET

Brett Pollakoff

Tim Duncan was one of the greatest basketball players of his generation, but he was also one of the most unique in that he actively avoided being placed in the spotlight.

Now that he's retired after a brilliant 19-year career, not much has changed.

Former teammate Bruce Bowen tells the story (via SI) of how Duncan decided against attending the Rio Olympics, despite receiving an invitation to fly to Brazil from President Barack Obama himself, Bowen says.

If you've followed Duncan's career, this shouldn't come as much of a surprise. He's going to continue to do everything he can to keep to himself, just as he consistently did while being one of the best to ever do it at the NBA level.