Aussie basketball legend Andrew Bogut makes unexpected career announcement two years after quitting the NBA to play Down Under
Australian basketball champion Andrew Bogut has shocked fans by calling a time-out on his playing future.
The 35-year-old took to Twitter on Monday to announce he’d opted against signing a new deal with current NBL club Sydney Kings, citing uncertainty in sport amid the coronavirus crisis.
However, the seven-foot tall giant stressed he hasn’t retired and says he won’t be rushed into a decision on his future.
‘I have decided not to sign with the Sydney Kings, or any professional sporting team for that matter for the time being,’ Bogut said in a statement.
Basketball superstar Andrew Bogut (pictured in NBL action in 2018) has announced he wont’s be signing with the Sydney Kings
‘With everything going on in the world the future does not look too clear, most notably in regards to sporting leagues worldwide.
‘This by no means is a retirement note, but simply saying any concrete decisions are too hard to be made at this point in time.
‘The reason I have decided to do this now is to give the Sydney Kings enough notice to act accordingly with Free Agency being around the corner.’
Born in Melbourne, Bogut was the NBA’s No.1 draft pick in 2005 and spent more than a decade in the league, winning a championship with Golden State in 2015.
He returned to Australia in 2018 and spent the past two NBL seasons with Sydney.
Bogut led the Kings to a minor premiership in 2019-20 before the team pulled out due to coronavirus fears midway through the grand final series in March, which was awarded to the Perth Wildcats.
The Sydney Kings have since vowed to continue to support Bogut as he weighs up future options.
He’s using the ongoing pandemic to focus on his young family and recovery.
‘I have enjoyed being at home with the family and learning more about my kids than I ever could have previously,’ Bogut wrote.
‘My body is enjoying the break after playing basketball for 19 straight months and I hope to be back on the basketball court in the near future!
‘The plan moving forward? Spending time with my wife and kids, slowly getting back into physical shape, and finally making the most of the time we don’t traditionally get at home.’