NEW YORK (Reuters) - Memphis Grizzlies guard Jason Williams announced his retirement on Monday, bringing the curtain down on a 12-year NBA career.

Taken with the seventh overall pick in the 1998 draft by the Sacramento Kings, Williams helped the Miami Heat to an NBA championship in 2006 and also had a stint with the Orlando Magic.

Williams finished as the Grizzlies' all-time assist leader (2,069) with career averages of 10.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 5.9 assists in 788 games.

The 35-year old averaged 2.0 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 27 games this season with the Magic and Grizzlies.

He missed the final 17 games of the regular season due to a sore back.

(Writing by Steve Keating; Editing by Ian Ransom)