By James Williams

Earlier this week we heard the news of 19-year veteran Grant Hill announcing his retirement from the NBA.

Another 19-year veteran announced his retirement today (June 3), that player is point guard Jason Kidd.

If you think this is what will link the careers of both Hill and Kidd together you are mistaken.

The two players have shared a link together since the start of their professional careers.

Both players were drafted on the same day and in the same round during the 1994 NBA Draft.

Kidd opted for the NBA Draft in 1994 as a sophomore at the University of California Berkeley.

He was selected with the second overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks. Kidd was picked right ahead of Hill, who was taken by the Detroit Pistons with the third pick.

That is still not all they had in common, both players ended their rookie season as co-rookie of the year in 1995.

Both players also won gold medals as members of the United States Olympic basketball team. Kidd won two medals, with one in 2000 and one in 2008. Hill won his in 1996.

With the announcement of Kidd’s retirement, he finishes his career ranked third all-time in the NBA for regular season triple-doubles with a total of 107 and second in playoff triple-doubles with 11.

Kidd finishes second on the NBA’s all-time career assists and steals lists, right behind John Stockton in both categories. Kidd also finishes third all-time in 3-point shots made.

Kidd spent the last season of his career as a member of the New York Knicks.

He joined the Knicks with teammate Tyson Chandler, after both won the 2011 NBA title during Kidd’s second stint with the Mavericks.

Kidd also played for the New Jersey Nets and Phoenix Suns during his time in the NBA and was also selected to 10 All-Star games.