Brooklyn Nets power forward LaMarcus Aldridge is retiring from the NBA, he announced on Twitter on Thursday.
Referring to a recent health problem due to an irregular heartbeat, Aldridge says “It’s time to put my health and my family first.”
“My last game I played had an irregular heartbeat,” Aldridge wrote in the social media post. “Later that night my pace got even worse, which really worried me even more.”
– LaMarcus Aldridge (@ aldridge_12) April 15, 2021
Aldridge, who signed with the Nets at the end of March, last played for Brooklyn against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 10 and lost 23 minutes that night.
“The next morning I told the team what was going on and they treated me very well and took me to the hospital for a check-up,” Aldridge wrote. “Although I’m better now, what I felt with my heart that night was one of the scariest things I’ve ever experienced.”
“I’m grateful for everything this game has given me – the great memories, including all the ups and downs, and the friendships I’ve made that will last me forever. I thank Portland for choosing a skinny guy from Texas and give him a chance. ”.
The team had knocked out Aldridge for a non-COVID-19 illness in the last two games.
Nets general manager Sean Marks says the team fully supports Aldridge’s decision.
“We know this was not an easy decision for him, but after careful consideration and consultation with medical experts, he made the best decision after basketball for himself, his family and his life,” Marks said in a statement.
Aldridge chose the Nets after agreeing to a buyout with the San Antonio Spurs, where he spent the past five and a half seasons. He spent the first nine years of his career with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Aldridge averaged 12.8 points in five games with the Nets. He was named second in the 2006 NBA draft, averaging 19.4 points and 8.2 rebounds in his career, selected seven times for the All-Star Game.