Gordon Hayward announces his retirement from the NBA after 14 seasons due to his wife’s illness.
SALT LAKE CITY: Gordon Hayward, a former forward for the Utah Jazz and a one-time All-Star, has announced his 14-year NBA retirement.
On Thursday, August 1, Hayward took to social media to announce his retirement.
Hayward wrote, “Today, I am officially retiring from the game of basketball.” “I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped me achieve beyond my wildest expectations; it is been an incredible ride.”
Hayward was selected ninth overall in the 2010 NBA Draft and made his first visit to Utah. The former Butler Bulldog got off to a slow start as a rookie, scoring 5.4 points in 16.9 minutes per contest. Hayward’s scoring average increased each of the first seven years of his career after he adjusted to the league, reaching a career-high.
in the 2016–17 campaign, of 21.9 points.
Hayward’s final season with the Jazz saw him earn his only All-Star selection thanks to a rebuilt body. In 2017, he assisted in leading the Jazz back to the postseason following a four-year break from the playoffs. In 11 games, Hayward averaged 24.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. During a seven-game series, Hayward pulled off an upset victory over the heavily favored Los Angeles Clippers.
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In 516 games played in Utah, Hayward shot 37 percent from three-point range and 44 percent from the floor, averaging 15.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists.
Hayward is in the top ten Jazz players of all time in terms of assists (ninth), steals (sixth), free throws (sixth), and made three-pointers (fourth).
(tenth), and rebounds (ninth), and is one of the 16 Jazz players chosen for the All-Star squad.
In addition, Hayward was a member of the Charlotte Hornets and Boston Celtics before concluding his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
