SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Andre Iguodala, a four-time champion with the Golden State Warriors during a 19-year NBA career, is retiring.
“It’s just the right time,” the 39-year-old Iguodala told Andscape in a telephone interview for a story published Friday. “Time started to get limited for me and I didn’t want to put anything in the back seat. I didn’t want to have to try to delegate time anymore. Especially with on the court, off the court with family. A lot.”
Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala handles the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jan. 16, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs, File)
He said family has a lot of do with his decision.
“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,” he said.
Iguodala, the No. 9 overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft out of Arizona, played in 1,231 games. He spent eight seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, one in Denver, six with Golden State, two in Miami and the last two back with the Warriors. He was part of NBA champions in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022 and the MVP of the Finals in 2015.
Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry, left, and Andre Iguodala kiss the Larry O’Brien Trophy after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 105-97 in Game 6 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Cleveland, June 17, 2015. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Over his career, he averaged 11.3 points — including a high of 19.9 with the 76ers in 2007-08 — 4.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists. He made his only All-Star appearance in 2012 with the 76ers.
“He’s one of the main reasons we’ve got those four banners hanging up. He was a foundational piece of what has been one of the great runs in NBA history,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.
“In many ways, Andre set the tone for the whole thing by agreeing to come off the bench in 2014-15, really sacrificing, and making the move that unlocked the team that allowed Harrison (Barnes) to thrive, that strengthened our bench, but also set a tone for unselfishness and team first mentality. … Andre was just special.”
TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!
