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Australian basketball great Andrew Bogut has announced his retirement from professional basketball, effective immediately on Tuesday.
The announcement means Bogut won't take part in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics for Australia, and won't feature in the 2021 NBL season, having exited his contract with the Sydney Kings earlier this year during the free agency period.
The 36 year old made the shock announcement on his podcast Rogue Bogues, released on Tuesday morning.
“The decision hasn’t been an easy one, but I think it’s the right decision.” Bogut said.
“Without further adieu, and where I will be signing for next season ... is absolutely nowhere.
“I’ll be retiring from professional basketball effective immediately.”
Bogut said he was initially planning on playing at the Tokyo Games and then announcing his retirement, but after the postponement could not “physically and mentally” get to 2021.
After a career that included several major injuries, Bogut revealed the battle he’s faced just playing these last two seasons — the overwhelming reason behind his call.
“I would’ve made this decision earlier if it wasn’t for the postponement of the Olympics. I was hoping to get to 2020 … and call it a day after that and that would’ve been my fourth Olympics and selfishly that would’ve been a great accolade to have four Olympics under your belt, but it’s just not meant to be,” he said.
“I can’t physically and mentally get to 2021 with the way the body has been. I mean, I could, on painkillers and a lot of physical and mental pain, but it’s just not worth it at this point in my career.”
The Australian centre, who was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, played fourteen seasons in the NBA.
Bogut spent his early career in Milwaukee, before landing with the Golden State Warriors, where he won an NBA title in 2015, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.
He later had stints at the Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles, before coming to the NBL, where he was named 2019 league MVP with the Sydney Kings.
Bogut returned to the Warriors in 2019, in-between his two seasons with the Kings, but was unable to win a second ring.
“The only regret I really have is not enjoying the moment more,” Bogut said, “when I was in the bubble, when you’re in the prime as a professional athlete, it’s still enjoyable and fun, but at the same time it’s a job and you take it seriously.”
Tributes have flown in from all corners of the world for the star big man, his next career choice unknown after a stellar journey at the elite level.
IMAGE: Bleacher Report.