Divac has retired from the NBA and will become a scout for the team in Europe. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File

RALEIGH, North Carolina (Reuters) - Los Angeles Lakers center Vlade Divac has retired from the NBA and will become a scout for the team in Europe.

The 37-year-old from Serbia was one of the first European players to have a major impact in the NBA. During a 16-year career, he played for the Lakers, Charlotte Hornets and Sacramento Kings.

"Vlade enjoyed an excellent career in the NBA and was one of the most popular players we've had, both with the fans and with team management," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said.

"His playing style was defined by his wittiness and creativity on the court and we think those talents will benefit him in his new off-court career as well."

Divac is one of three players in NBA history -- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Hakeem Olajuwon are the others -- to amass 13,000 points (13,364), 9,000 rebounds (9,294), 3,000 assists (3,522) and 1,500 blocked shots (1,630).

A first-round daft choice of the Lakers in 1989, he averaged 11.9 points and 8.3 rebounds during his career.

The Lakers bought out Divac's contract earlier this month because of back problems and he had been expected to retire.

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