Four-time NBA champion and former Finals MVP Andre Iguodala announced he is retiring from the NBA after a career that spanned across 19 years.
The 39-year-old, who is of Nigerian descent, told Andscape on Friday of his decision to call time on his successful career.
“It’s just the right time,” Iguodala said. “Time started to get limited for me and I didn’t want to put anything in the back seat.
“You want to play at a high level. But then family is a lot. My son is 16 and then two girls. So, [I’m] looking forward to seeing them grow up in those important years.”
19 seasons. 4x NBA Champion.
A franchise forever changed when you came to The Bay. Thank you for everything, @andre ???? pic.twitter.com/YvCci98R5q
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) October 20, 2023
Iguodala, who was drafted in 2004 with the 9th overall pick, played for four teams in almost a decade, including the Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, and the Golden State Warriors, where he enjoyed most of his success.
The forward won the title four times with the Warriors (2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022), including winning the Finals MVP in 2015 for his outstanding defensive display against LeBron James.
Warriors’ owner Joe Lacob said the team will be looking forward to “raise his number 9 jersey in the rafters at some point in the future”, while head coach Steve Kerr praised Iguodala’s personality and professionalism over the years. He said: “Congratulations to Andre on concluding a spectacular Hall of Fame career.”
He was one of the most unique players I have ever been around, combining incredible instincts at both ends with elite athleticism and IQ. Just an absolute winner. I was lucky to coach him.”
Iguodala averaged 11.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 1,231 games and made the All-Star team in 2012 during his time with the Nuggets. He was also a part of two All-NBA Defensive Teams: The First Team in 2014 and the Second Team in 2011.
