Gordon Hayward announces NBA retirement after 14 seasons
Aug 1, 2024, 2:41 PM | Updated: 2:47 pm
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 05: Gordon Hayward #33 of the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 05, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
(Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – One-time All-Star and former Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward has announced his retirement from the NBA after 14 seasons.
Hayward announced his retirement via social media on Thursday, August 1.
“Today, I am officially retiring from the game of basketball,” Hayward wrote. “It’s been an incredible ride, and I’m so grateful to everyone who helped me achieve more than I ever imagined.”
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Thank you 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/fqbw3WML0n
— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) August 1, 2024
Hayward first came to Utah as the ninth pick of the first found in the 2010 NBA Draft. The former Butler Bulldog started slowly, averaging 16.9 minutes and 5.4 points per game as a rookie. After acclimating to the league, Hayward saw his scoring average rise for each of the first seven years of his career, culminating in a career-high of 21.9 points in the 2016-17 season.
A remade body allowed Hayward to earn his only All-Star appearance in his final season with the Jazz. After a four-year playoff hiatus, he helped lead the Jazz back to the postseason in 2017. Hayward averaged 24.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 11 games, including an upset win over the heavily favored Los Angeles Clippers in a seven-game series.
