Andre Iguodala, a legendary four-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors, has officially announced his retirement from the league after almost two decades.
In an exclusive interview with Andscape, the 2015 NBA Finals MVP revealed his decision to retire. Over the course of his remarkable 19 seasons, Iguodala averaged 11.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in an impressive 1,231 games. Despite interest from the Warriors and other teams, the 2012 All-Star ultimately chose to retire.
Iguodala, 39, stated, “It’s simply the perfect time for me. I felt time was becoming limited, and I no longer wanted to juggle my priorities. I didn’t want to compromise on time anymore, whether it be on the court or off the court with my family. Family means a lot to me – I have a 16-year-old son and two daughters. I look forward to witnessing their growth during these crucial years.”
“Playing at a high level is important, but family is everything,” expressed Iguodala in a phone interview with Andscape. “The game demands a lot, and I wanted to ensure I could devote my time fully to both my family and basketball without compromises.”
Iguodala, a standout player from Arizona, was selected as the ninth overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 215 pounds, he earned an All-Star spot with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2012 and recorded a career-high average of 19.9 points per game in the 2007-08 season.
Known for his defensive prowess, Iguodala was selected to the All-NBA defensive team twice and claimed a spot on the first team in 2013-14. Furthermore, he won a gold medal in the 2012 London Games and became a world champion in 2010 with USA Basketball. He holds the 39th spot in NBA history for total games played.
New Orleans Pelicans coach Willie Green, a former teammate of Iguodala’s with the 76ers and his coach at Golden State, spoke highly of his character and contributions. “Andre was not just an exceptional player but an exemplary young man. I’m proud of his accomplishments on the court – including winning Olympic gold and four NBA championships – but I’m equally proud of the devoted husband, father, and friend he is off the court. He was always willing to guide and mentor younger players and exemplified the qualities of a true professional.”
Throughout his career, Iguodala played for the 76ers, Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, and had his most significant impact with the Warriors. In 2019, Warriors owner Joe Lacob expressed his intention to retire Iguodala’s No. 9 jersey, highlighting his invaluable contributions to the franchise.
Lacob stated, “Andre Iguodala was an integral part of our four NBA championship teams, and we will forever cherish the immense contributions he made both on and off the court. His selfless approach, which was evident from the moment he arrived in Golden State, played a significant role in our success, especially his outstanding defensive abilities. In the future, we anticipate raising #9 to the rafters at Chase Center. We wish him continued success in his promising post-playing career in the business world.”
In July 2013, Iguodala opted to join the Warriors on a four-year, $48 million contract via a sign-and-trade deal, declining a five-year contract with the Nuggets. This decision proved to be instrumental in his career. He went on to win NBA championships with the Warriors in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022. After a stint with the Miami Heat, Iguodala returned to the Warriors for the final two seasons of his career, playing eight games in his last season.
Iguodala reflected on his time with the Warriors, saying, “Winning four championships is an incredible achievement. Only a handful of teams can boast such a record – the Bulls, Lakers, Celtics, and us. This organization is truly extraordinary. Everything was run impeccably, and it was the perfect fit for me during my prime. It reinforced my faith in the game and the belief that hard work and focus pay off. I trusted in the process and let my dedication propel me to perform at my very best.”
One of the highlights of Iguodala’s NBA career occurred during the 2015 Finals, where he was named the series MVP for his exceptional defense against LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers. James shot 38.1% from the field when guarded by Iguodala, compared to 44% when defended by other players. Iguodala also averaged 16.3 points, 4.0 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game throughout the six-game series.
Reflecting on the experience, Iguodala said, “Being awarded the Finals MVP was an amazing moment. I vividly remember the excitement when then-Warriors GM Bob Myers informed me. It’s a memory I’ll never forget. It reaffirmed my belief that staying true to your role and responsibilities will lead to great things. You just need to have faith that everything will fall into place when you give your all.”
Iguodala also made significant contributions to his fellow NBA players by serving on the National Basketball Players Association executive committee from 2015 to 2023. Former NBPA president Chris Paul acknowledged Iguodala’s role in navigating the challenges of the NBA bubble at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, amid the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
