Andrew Bogut, a former NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors, announced his retirement from basketball on Tuesday.
Former No. 1 pick and NBA champion Andrew Bogut has announced his retirement from basketball after 14 NBA seasons 👏 pic.twitter.com/1Za5O5uHLJ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 30, 2020
He made the announcement on his podcast, Rogue Bogues.
“I will be retiring from professional basketball, effective immediately,” Bogut said.
His retirement marks the end of a long and successful career in basketball.
Bogut played college basketball at the University of Utah where he was named the 2004-05 AP Player of the Year.
He was then the first overall pick to the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2005 draft.
After being drafted, Bogut was able to put together a 14-year career in the NBA.
He averaged 9.6 PPG, 8.7 RPG and 1.5 BPG throughout his long career.
However, he struggled with a variety of injuries that limited his playing time over the years.
After being drafted by the Bucks, he spent his first seven seasons with the franchise.
In 2012, he signed with the Warriors and became the team’s starting center for the next four years.
Former Warrior champ Andrew Bogut is retiring after 14 seasons in the NBA 💪
🏆 NBA Champ
🏆 ’05-’06 All-Rookie
🏆 ’09-'10 All-NBA
🏆 ’10-'11 BLK Champ
🏆 ’14-’15 All-Defensive pic.twitter.com/G4LoTW9h4b— Warriors Nation (@WarriorNationCP) November 30, 2020
In the twilight years of his career, Bogut bounced around between a few different teams without playing many games.
He finished his NBA career with the Warriors.
A Warriors’ Champion
While Bogut was far from a big name on the Warriors’ 2015 team, he was a major piece of their success.
Though he only averaged 6.3 PPG, the seven-footer provided the team with a presence under the basket.
He was there to alter shots and corral rebounds, setting up scorers Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
His passing ability was also strong for a center.
A passing ability like few others.
Celebrate @andrewbogut's retirement with a look back at some of his best dimes with the Dubs 👀 pic.twitter.com/BtN455iZ0T
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) December 1, 2020
He was an integral part of this championship team and helped start the organization’s dynasty.
His importance on the team was even more evident during the 2016 Finals.
In Game 5, he suffered a knee sprain that kept him out for the rest of the series.
Up until that point, the Warriors had a 3-1 series lead.
The loss of Bogut opened the paint up for the Cavaliers, who took direct advantage of it.
Led by LeBron James, the Cavaliers became the first team in NBA history to make a comeback and win the NBA Finals after being down 3-1.
Though he was far from the team’s biggest producer, he was critical as a role player.
He understood the purpose he served and helped win the Warriors their first championship since 1975.
The Pride of Australia
The Australian Bogut has always been an NBA representative of his home continent.
He was one of Australia’s best basketball players, being known as an inspirational figure for other players coming out of there.
"His decision to come back to Australia and play in the NBL after an incredible career in the NBA was a turning point for our sport and the competition"
The NBL, @JeremyLoeliger and Larry Kestelman congratulate @andrewbogut following his retirement announcement today 🙌
— The NBL (@NBL) December 1, 2020
Australian Olympic Committee President John Coats has witnessed the impact Bogut’s had on Australian basketball.
“He was an inspirational figure for the Australian Olympic team and a leader on and off the court,” Coates said. “This is not just a loss for basketball in Australia but a loss for the Australian Olympic movement.”
Bogut gave the continent a recognizable face in the NBA and did a lot for their credibility.
He returned to Australia’s NBL in 2018, winning the league’s MVP award in 2019.
There was hope that he would have been able to play in the 2020 Olympics, but the COVID-19 pandemic unfortunately pushed that away.
Regardless, Bogut ends a career that, though plagued with injuries, is storied and successful.
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