January 18, 2026

Jared Dillinger officially retires from basketball: ’17 years, all done’

Jared Dillinger officially retires from basketball: ’17 years, all done’
Jared Dillinger last played for Ginebra | Photo: PBA Images

After nearly two decades, Jared Dillinger is officially calling it quits.

Just weeks after Gabe Norwood hung his jersey, Jared Dillinger announced his retirement from basketball.

Dillinger made a post on social media Saturday, Jan. 18, expressing his gratitude to basketball, which he described as a lifesaver.

“All good things come to an end. What a ride that was tho. Thank you for everything, basketball. You saved my life,” he wrote.

  

[ALSO READ: Guiao proposes to retire Gabe Norwood’s Rain or Shine jersey: 'Epitome of loyalty, decency, being professional']

When One Sports reached out to Dillinger, dubbed as “Daredevil” for his devil-may-care style of play, he confirmed he was indeed officially ending an illustrious career.

“Yes, I am retired. I finished my contract with Ginebra last conference,” he told One Sports.

“So 17 years, all done.”

Dillinger was Talk ’N Text’s second overall pick in the 2008 PBA Draft. His close friend Norwood came first.

As bucket-getter, crafty playmaker and tremendous wing defender, Dillinger won nine PBA championships, including four with Ginebra.

[ALSO READ: PBA: Scottie Thompson looks forward to quality time with family after Ginebra’s semis exit]

Before he made the jump to Meralco and the Gin Kings, Dillinger first made a name for himself with TNT, where he teamed up with the likes of Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro and Kelly Williams.

The now 42-year-old Dillinger helped MVP’s flagship franchise capture five PBA titles.

He spent his last years with Ginebra, which plucked him as a free agent after the Bolts shockingly put him on the unrestricted free agent list.

Unfortunately, Dillinger did not get to really see action in the past two years after being riddled with injuries.

Right now, Dillinger made his foray into a different discipline as he co-hosts the “Let It Fly” podcast with Norwood and another former player in Sol Mercado.

Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.

He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.

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