After signing with the Brooklyn Nets less than three weeks ago, LaMarcus Aldridge announced he is retiring from the NBA.
Aldridge made the announcement via Twitter after suffering an irregular heartbeat during the Nets’ game last Saturday against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The 35-year-old said it was time to put his health and family first.
“Today I write this letter with a heavy heart. My last game, I played while dealing with an irregular heartbeat. Later on that night my rhythm got even worse which really worried me even more.”
— LaMarcus Aldridge (@aldridge_12) April 15, 2021
“The next morning, I told the team what was going and they were great getting me to the hospital and getting me checked out. Though I’m better now, what I felt with my heart that night was still one of the scariest things I’ve ever experienced. With that being said, I’ve made the difficult decision to retire from the NBA. For 15 years, I’ve put basketball first, and now, it is time to put my health and family first.”
Aldridge joined the Nets last month after the San Antonio Spurs bought out his contract.
The 15-year-veteran spent six seasons with the Spurs after starting his career with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Aldridge was one of several high-profile veterans to sign with the Nets in hopes of getting a crack at an NBA title.
The Nets released a statement thanking Aldridge for his short run with the team.
“The Nets organization fully supports LaMarcus’ decision, and while we value what he has brought to our team during his short time in Brooklyn, his health and well being are far more important than the game of basketball.”
Statement from our GM Sean Marks on the retirement of LaMarcus Aldridge: pic.twitter.com/3WKRJgAmpn
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 15, 2021
The 6-foot-11 center, who was averaging 13.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in his fifteenth year in the league, was excited to join the Nets and optimistic about the team’s chances for success.
Aldridge was a seven-time All-Star and had his highest scoring average of 23.4 points per game during the 2014-15 season with Portland.
