The Boston Celtics committed player has announced an unexpected retirement leaving Joe Mazzulla completely perplexed.
After representing Italy in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, former Boston Celtics forward and fan favorite Luigi Datome announced his retirement from the game.
In 18 games with the venerable Celtics team during the 2014–15 regular season, Datome, 35, averaged 5.2 points, 1.4 rebounds, 0.4 assists, and 0.4 blocks per game.
The 6-foot-8 forward made significant progress while playing basketball abroad. He was named the MVP of the Turkish Super Cup in 2017, the MVP of the Lega Basket Serie A in 2017, and the MVP of the Italian Basketball Cup in 2021. Datome was also a two-time member of the elite 50-40-90 club in the EuroLeague.
Despite his brief and uneventful tenure with the Celtics, Datome will always be regarded as one of the best basketball players of Italian descent in history.
Goran Dragic declared his retirement from professional basketball last month. Dragic was a player for the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors, and Phoenix Suns throughout his career.
The former All-Star selection revealed that he is planning a goodbye party in Ljubljana, Slovenia, according to Sports Klub.
“I am excited about the project. It is scheduled for August 23, 24, and 20, 2024. Since I was born and raised in Ljubljana, I wanted it to happen there. In addition, I wanted to bring every celebrity I’ve worked with.
The following former teammates and coaches were mentioned by Dragic as being there at the event: “Juan Butler, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luis Scola, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Giannis Doncic, Jeff Hornacek, Kevin McHale, Steve Nash, and Luka Doncic.”
Dragic’s final season in Houston was spent as head coach of the Houston Rockets under Kevin McHale. The Slovenian averaged 11.7 points and 5.3 assists per game in the 2011–2012 regular season.
From 1980 until 1993, McHale played power forward with the Boston Celtics. During his playing career, the seven-time All-Star earned three NBA championships. He then became a coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Rockets.
