BROWNSBURG, Ind. (AP) 鈥� Gordon Hayward, who nearly gave Butler a national title over Duke that just missed on the final play of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball championship game, retired from the NBA after 14 seasons on Thursday.
Hayward played for Utah, Boston, Charlotte and Oklahoma City, and was an All-Star in 2017. He averaged 15.2 points in 835 career regular-season games, and said he was looking forward to spending more time with his family.
鈥淭oday, I am officially retiring from the game of basketball,鈥� 鈥淚t鈥檚 been an incredible ride and I鈥檓 so grateful to everyone who helped me achieve more than I ever imagined.鈥�
Hayward thanked his parents and family, his agent Mark Bartelstein, coaches, teammates, trainers, doctors and friends for supporting him 鈥渢hrough countless years and cities, helping me exceed my own expectations.鈥�
鈥淭o all my fans: thank you for supporting me through the ups and downs,鈥� Hayward wrote. 鈥淚鈥檒l always cherish the letters of encouragement and the moments we鈥檝e shared around the world. You inspired me to always dream big and improve everyday 鈥� and for the young players up next, I challenge you do to the same.鈥�
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