Tony Parker announced his retirement from the game of basketball on Monday, ending an illustrious 18-year career in which he won four championships as a member of the San Antonio Spurs.

Following his retirement, numerous NBA players took to social media to congratulate Parker, with two of his former teammates in Pau Gasol and Nicolas Batum being among the first to do so.

Batum posted his congratulatory remarks on Twitter in French, and Hoopshype translated Batum's post:

“Congratulations on your career and all you have done for basketball and French sports … Thank you for being here for me since the first days of my career and for always helping me. Everything starts now for you! At wednesday, meeting 11:30, do not be late!”

Gasol then followed with his own post:

Parker, who came over to the NBA from France, was originally selected by the Spurs in the first round (28th pick overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft.

It didn't take long for Parker to make his mark, as he went on to play a crucial role in San Antonio's championship run during his second season in the 2002-03 campaign.

The Frenchman would then add titles in 2005, 2007 and 2014, and in 2007, he went on to win Finals MVP after averaging 24.5 points per game in a four-game sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Parker made six All-Star teams during his NBA tenure and ends his career with lifetime averages of 15.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

His first 17 seasons came with the Spurs before joining the Charlotte Hornets for one season this year.