Washington (AFP) – Gordon Hayward announced his retirement from the NBA on Thursday after 14 seasons that included an All-Star selection in 2017. The 34-year-old American forward averaged 15.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.0 steals a game over 835 NBA contests with Utah, Boston, Charlotte, and Oklahoma City.
“Today I am officially retiring from the game of basketball,” Hayward wrote in a statement carried on social media. “It has been an incredible ride and I’m so grateful to everyone who helped me achieve more than I ever imagined.”
Hayward, selected ninth overall by Utah in the 2010 NBA Draft, was an All-Star in 2017 when the Jazz reached the second round of the playoffs. However, Hayward departed as a free agent and signed with the Boston Celtics, only to suffer a broken left leg and dislocated ankle six minutes into his first game with the club in October at the start of the 2017-18 campaign.
Hayward missed the remainder of that season and was used in a reserve role in most of the 2018-19 campaign as he worked to regain full fitness. He suffered a right ankle injury in 2020 and was traded three months later to Charlotte, where he stayed until being traded to Oklahoma City last February.
“To all my fans: thank you for supporting me through the ups and downs,” Hayward said. “I’ll always cherish the letters of encouragement and the moments we’ve shared around the world. You inspired me to always dream big and improve every day — and for the young players up next, I challenge you to do the same.”
© 2024 AFP
