Andrew Bogut retires from professional basketball. Coaches, players and administrators from around the world send tributes.
Australian Boomers legend, Andrew Bogut, has today brought the curtain down on a stellar career in announcing his retirement from professional basketball. The first Australian selected at number one in the NBA Draft, Bogut leaves the sport as a three-time Olympian and one of the most respected big men in the international game, representing the Australian men’s senior basketball team on 80 occasions. The former AIS Scholarship holder led his young team to the 2002 SEABL East Conference Championship as an 18-year old and was named the conference Most Valuable Player in 2003, during a superb career at the now Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence at the AIS in Canberra. The gifted big man was named Naismith College Player of the Year in 2005, playing under legendary coach Rick Majerus at the University of Utah. A brilliant passer and team defender, historically Bogut was selected Number 1 overall in the 2005 NBA Draft and enjoyed an impressive career in the world’s number one professional league and earned the respect of teammates, opponents and coaches alike with his winning mentality and team-first approach. A stalwart of the Australian national team since a teenager, Bogut led the Australian Emus to the 2003 FIBA Under 19 World Championships in Greece – where the team won an historic gold medal – and played crucial roles at the Athens (2004), Beijing (2008) and Rio Olympic Games (2016), embodying the Boomers spirit and forming a formidable one-two punch with fellow Boomers legend Patty Mills. Bogut’s standing within the sport of basketball is evident today with the outpouring of well wishes from both home and abroad, including current and former coaches, teammates and administrators. Basketball Australia CEO Jerril Rechter AM leading the tributes, “Andrew Bogut is and will always be a giant of Australian Basketball. His contribution to our sport is immeasurable and he hangs up the Boomers jersey as one of our all-time greats. Andrew embodies what is means to be a Boomer and it is this culture, will to win, and team-first approach which will remain in the dressing room of the Australian national team for years to come. On behalf of Basketball Australia and the entire Australian basketball community, I would like to thank Andrew for all he has given to our sport on the court, and wish him nothing but success for life off the court in retirement.” Jan Stirling, Basketball Australia Executive GM, High Performance & National Teams “The Australian Boomers’ global status has been elevated immeasurably as a consequence of Andrew’s astonishing career. Andrew’s resilience and determination invariably peaked when he wore his loved Boomer uniform, and his fantastic FIBA 2019 World Cup campaign is but one of his finest. His footprint is a legacy which I personally respect, value and appreciate. The Boomers program will always remain grateful not only for what he has done representing our nation, more so for how he passionately went about it!” Lauren Jackson, Basketball Australia Head of Women in Basketball and Basketball Australia Hall of Famer “Congratulations on an incredible career, your legacy is one that will last generations not only because of your achievements but your commitment to our game both here in Australia and overseas. Retirement brings a new set of challenges but your influence on our game will always remain!! Thanks for leading the way for our new Generation of Boomers – if they follow in your footsteps, the future looks very bright for men’s basketball in our country.” Brian Goorjian, Australian Boomers head coach “At my first touch point with Boomers Andrew was there and he stood out due to his influential and productivity as an elite International athlete on the global stage. I have and will always retain tremendous respect, admiration and appreciation for the value he has delivered with consistency across two decades. He is an revered and iconic Boomer and whilst he would have loved to joined the team in Tokyo his decision to step away is self-less in many ways ...his body has taken a toll, he knows it and it validates his team-first mentality as a legendary Boomer!” Andrew Lemanis, former Australian Boomers head coach “Getting to be on the same team as Andrew Bogut is simply one of the greatest experiences of my life. I’m privileged to have been given the opportunity to work with Andrew and humbled to be able to call him a friend. “Andrew’s professionalism and commitment to winning are first class. I learned a lot from watching him go about his business and from getting the opportunity to talk basketball with him. He is a man who is true to his word, honest in his discussions, loves playing for his country and forthright in expressing his opinion, which makes him great to work with and be around. “I think the thing Andrew doesn’t get enough credit for is his willingness to play through pain. I experienced first-hand countless times when it would have been easy for Andrew to miss a game or practice, but he gets it, he understands that for teams to succeed you have to be prepared to sacrifice, and so he found a way to get on court and help his team be better. The positive difference he made to the group was obvious. He is a true champion and legend of Australian basketball. “Thank you Andrew for all you have done for our sport and the people in it – you should be proud of all you have achieved, but also, of all you have given to the game in Australia. I wish you every success in the next part of your journey and hope that we continue to benefit from your influence on the game in this country. Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors head coach “Andrew had a tremendous career, both internationally and in the NBA. I loved coaching him with the Warriors- he was one of the best defensive centers in the league, a brilliant passer, a great teammate and a champion.” Luc Longley, Australian Boomers legend and Basketball Australia Hall of Famer “I have enormous respect for Andrew’s career and feel comfortable in the knowledge that he is Australia’s best centre and until Ben Simmons dethrones him the best basketballer we have produced as a nation. The uncompromising way he went about the game was an example to all young hoopers. I’m sure he will attack the rest of his life the way he has attacked rims for the last two decades.“ Joe Ingles, Utah Jazz and Australian Boomers “Playing alongside Bogues was an absolute honour, he always put winning and his team first. Despite some injury setbacks he had an incredible career. Sad to see him leave the game but excited to see what’s next. Bogues leaves Australian basketball in a better place.” Matthew Dellavedova, Cleveland Cavaliers and Australian Boomers "Bogues is one of the best teammates I've played with. His commitment to the team winning, preparation in getting his body right to play - people will never know what he went through to get himself ready to pull on the Green and Gold, even as teammates I don't think we fully know the sacrifices he made. His smarts, communication on both ends of the floor and sole focus on doing what's best for the team to win - I'm going to miss being his teammate". Chris Goulding, Melbourne United and Australian Boomers “Congratulations to Andrew on an outstanding career. One of the most successful careers we have seen and a player who has given so much to represent his country whenever he was able to. The Boomers program is in a better place having Bogues wear the green and gold for all these years. Enjoy what’s next!!” Basketball Australia will continue to celebrate the outstanding career of Andrew Bogut on the organisation’s website and social media channels over the coming days.
