Andrew Bogut Retires from NBA

Australian veteran Andrew Bogut will retire from the NBA entirely, the player announced on Tuesday. The former No. 1 draft pick will instead play in the Australian National Basketball League for two years with the Sydney Kings.

It is a surprising move from the 13-year NBA stalwart. It was thought that he would return to the NBA next season. However, Andrew Bogut has decided that a move back to his home country is the best option. Speaking on Tuesday, he said that he had always intended to return to Australia at some point.

“Before anyone asks, no NBA outs, no European outs,” Bogut said. “I’m committed to being here for two years … it will retire me from the NBA, I’m happy to say that today.”

Andrew Bogut is clearly looking towards the future and retirement from playing altogether. He elected to sign with the Sydney Kings, who finished 8th in a seven team league last season. He made that choice in spite of interest from his hometown team, Melbourne United.

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Reportedly, Bogut’s Sydney Kings contract includes a 10% stake in the team upon his retirement. He will also have an option to buy a larger stake in the club.

“I want some skin in the game, I want to see how viable this is and see where it’s going,” he said. “If it goes as well as I think it will there is no reason why I won’t put my own money in as well.”

33-year-old Andrew Bogut has ambitions to play for Australia in next years’ World Cup, as well as the 2020 Olympics.

Bogut has been a free agent in the NBA since being waived by the Los Angeles Lakers in January. It was thought that he would join a team for the postseason. However, he decided to stay in Australia to help his wife with her “complicated pregnancy”.

Bogut played for the Milwaukee Bucks for 7 years after being picked first in the 2005 NBA draft. He then joined the Golden State Warriors, winning the NBA Championship in 2015. He joined the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second half of last season, but fractured his leg on his debut. Following a trade to the Lakers, he played 24 games before being waived.