Karl Malone, the second highest scorer in NBA history, ended his career on Sunday where it all began with the Utah Jazz.

Voted one of the 50 greatest players of all-time, the 41-year-old forward officially announced his retirement to bring the curtain down on his Hall of Fame career with 36,928 points, second behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387).

Known to fans around the world as the "Mailman", Malone spent 18 of his 19 seasons in a Jazz uniform, teaming up with guard John Stockton to form one of basketball's most lethal partnerships.

"The reason we're here is for me to announce my retirement and make it official," said Malone in a news conference in Salt Lake City.

"I grew here as a 'Jazzman'. If I'm fortunate enough to go into the Hall of Fame, I will go in as a 'Jazzman', with the old uniform."

In an attempt to claim the NBA title that eluded him throughout his career, Malone signed on with the Los Angeles Lakers last season, joining forces with Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal and Gary Payton in a 'dream team' line-up.

But his championship dream ended in a nightmare when the Lakers lost to the Detroit Pistons in five games in the NBA Finals.

Malone leaves with his name sprinkled through the record books.

He is one of two players to average at least 25 points in 11 consecutive seasons and the only player in league history to be named to the All-Star team 11 times.

Malone ranks second all-time in minutes played and field goals made, and fourth in games played.