Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerTwitter LogoFeatured Columnist IVDecember 2, 2023
AP Photo/Jeff Chiu
Terrence Ross, an 11-year NBA veteran who famously won the Slam Dunk contest during his rookie season, shared big news on his podcast Friday - He’s retiring.
THE T.ROSS PODCAST @TRossPodcast
It’s official: @TerrenceRoss is hanging it up after more than a decade in the league 😭
Full episode: https://t.co/0Ttf8quAHJ pic.twitter.com/ed0fY0xPwf
Ross acknowledged that past injuries severely affected him and became a game-changer. He also noted that being home with his family was a major factor in his decision to retire.
The former University of Washington star averaged 11.0 points per game for the Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns (career-high 15.6 PPG for the 2020-21 Magic). The man known as the Human Torch was an adept scorer and three-point shooter (36.2 percent from deep) off the bench for most of his career.
Ross hinted at his potential retirement in mid-November on TikTok (h/t Ernest Leo Hernandez of Sportskeeda).
2Cool2Blog @2Cool2Blog
Terrence Ross speaks on no longer being in the NBA & being ok with it pic.twitter.com/rw8hjBuQxE
“I’m watching these games and, instead of thinking like, ‘God, I really miss being out there’, the first thing that came to my head was like, ‘okay, Boston is playing New York. That’s a quick flight back home. They’ll get home pretty early,’ My mind was in so many other areas besides, oh, I can’t wait for the next game.”
He also added:
“Everybody’s different. People want somebody to play for as long as LeBron James and want to play with their kids and their kid’s kids. And some people are just like, I’ve had enough. I had a great time. Knees are kinda hurtin’, body’s a little banged up–not a little banged up, I had some surgeries, but I don’t know, man.”
After he announced his retirement, the 32-year-old appeared at the Washington Wizards at Magic game on Friday and got a rousing ovation from the fans.
Wendell Epps @epps_wendell
Terrence Ross was shown on the Jumbotron during the last timeout.
The Human Torch announced his retirement from the NBA earlier today. #MagicTogether pic.twitter.com/dvbOClvxyR
Ross still had something left in the tank before hanging it up.
The veteran wing originally signed with the Suns in February following his buyout from the Magic. He provided vital depth for a team that flipped Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson and Jae Crowder for Kevin Durant and T.J. Warren.
In 21 games, Ross averaged 9.0 points on 42.8 percent shooting, including 34.7 percent on three-pointers. His best performance came in a 135-127 defeat to the Sacramento Kings on March 24, when he knocked down six threes en route to a 30-point night.
“It gives us another guy that can get his own shot,