Former Warriors forward Andre Iguodala retires after 19 NBA seasons – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

After an illustrious 19-year NBA career, Andre Iguodala has officially retired. The former Warriors forward and four-time NBA champion recently spoke with Marc Spears of Andscape, explaining his reasons for stepping away from the game.

Iguodala stated, “It’s just the right time. Time started to become limited for me, and I wanted to prioritize everything in my life. I didn’t want to have to allocate time and make sacrifices. Especially with family, both on and off the court. Family means a lot to me. My son is 16, and I have two daughters. I look forward to being present in their lives during these important years.”

Beginning his career with the 76ers, Iguodala spent eight seasons in Philadelphia after being drafted with the ninth overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. He then had a brief stint in Denver with the Nuggets before ultimately joining the Warriors.

During his time with Golden State, Iguodala was a key contributor to the team’s dynasty, making five consecutive trips to the NBA Finals and securing three championships. After two seasons with the Miami Heat, he returned to the Warriors for the final two seasons of his career, where he added another championship to his resume.

Iguodala reflected on his time with the Warriors, saying, “We won four championships, which is remarkable. Only a select few teams can claim that accomplishment: the Bulls, Lakers, Celtics, and us. Our organization was unparalleled in its success. It was a testament to our belief in each other and our commitment to playing the game the right way. The timing was perfect for me during my prime.”

The Warriors released a statement from owner Joe Lacob, expressing their appreciation for Iguodala’s contributions to the team. Lacob stated, “Andre Iguodala was an integral part of four NBA championship teams with the Warriors. His team-first mentality and impact on defense played a significant role in our success. We look forward to honoring him by retiring his number.”

Throughout his career, Iguodala displayed versatility on both ends of the court. He averaged 11.3 points on 46.3 percent shooting, along with 4.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists. One of his most memorable performances was during the 2015 NBA Finals, where he earned the Finals MVP award for his exceptional defense against LeBron James.

Iguodala’s impact extended beyond the court. As an unofficial assistant coach in his final seasons with the Warriors, he mentored young players and contributed to their development. His presence will certainly be missed.

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