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The great Australian basketball player Andrew Bogut has retired from the sport with immediate effect, leaving the nation without his most experienced activist ahead of the Tokyo Olympics next year.
Bogut, who won an NBA championship with Golden State in 2015, announced his decision on his Rogues Bogues podcast Tuesday, citing a growing number of injuries to his body.
« The decision wasn’t easy, but I think it’s the right decision. The decision I made and where to sign for the next season is absolutely nowhere. I will be retiring from professional basketball with immediate effect, ”said Bogut.
The 36-year-old split from the Sydney Kings in May, a few months after the NBL finals series was canceled halfway due to Covid-19.
He had returned to Australia in 2018, believing the softer NBL schedule would increase his chances of extending his career to the Tokyo Olympics.
Named the NBL MVP in 2019, Bogut led the Kings to a grand finale last season as they battled back and ankle injuries, both of which had to undergo surgery this year.
« The last two years have been a real challenge for me, just getting out of bed a few days in the morning, let alone going to a training session or game, » said Bogut. “The body was probably hanging by a thread from 2018.
“It was a real challenge and the thread from the 2019-20 season was completely frayed and in small pieces. It was really frustrating for me. ”
The 7-foot center was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the first overall pick in the 2005 NBA draft, paving the way for Australians to step into the top division of the United States.
Bogut also took part in three Olympic Games and was a member of the 2016 squad, which finished fourth in Rio in 2016.
« I just can’t get through 2021 as physically and psychologically as the body was, » said Bogut. « I mean I could handle a lot of pain medication and a lot of physical and mental anxiety, but it’s just not worth it at this point in my career. « . ”
Andrew Bogut, Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Australian Men’s National Basketball Team, Cleveland Cavaliers, Sydney Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, NBA Finals
World News – AU – » It’s just not worth it « : Australian NBA pioneer Andrew Bogut is withdrawing from basketball
Ref: https://www.theguardian.com
