Putting the things that mattered most to him ahead of his passion, the Portland Trail Blazers center Fabricio Oberto announced today that he has retired from the game of basketball.
 
It was a heart condition, recurrent palpitations, that Thursday forced him to retire. Last Tuesday, in the game against Milwaukee, Fabricio experienced lightheadedness and dizziness in the first half. It was after that game that he decided to call it quits.
 
"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."
 
The 35-year-old played six seasons in the NBA averaging 3.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 14.5 minutes in 336. He played the first four campaigns for the San Antonio Spurs (2005-09) with his friend Manu Ginobili, winning an NBA championship as the starting center in 2007. He spent the last year with the Washington Wizards and signed with Portland ten days ago.
 
A veteran of international play, Fabricio was one of those players who just got things done, he just played smart, didn't make mistakes and good things just seemed to happen.
 
Oberto was also a member of the Argentine National Teams that won the golden medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, the bronze medal four years later at Beijing Olympics, and the silver medal at the 2002 FIBA World Championships.
 
It's an unfortunate loss for the game of basketball and Interperformances is glad to have spent so many years with such a hard worker and professional person. We wish Fabricio the best of luck for his future.