raptors15
JBB JustBBall Member
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2003
- Messages
- 523
- Likes
- 0
- Points
- 16
Sabonis tells agent he's retiring
Associated Press
8/12/2003
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Portland Trail Blazers centre Arvydas Sabonis will not return to the NBA next season, his agent said Tuesday.
The seven-foot-three Sabonis told Herb Rudoy, his Chicago-based agent, he was retiring to spend more time with his family in Lithuania.
``He informed me (Monday) that it was not his intention to come back and play this year,'' Rudoy said Tuesday.
Rudoy told the Trail Blazers of Sabonis's decision Monday, team spokesman Mike Hanson said. Sabonis was scheduled to be in Portland this week for a team physical. Instead, he stayed home in Lithuania.
The team and Sabonis had until Friday to sign a deal that would have guaranteed his $7-million salary US for the upcoming season. If the Trail Blazers trade him before Friday, a team could gain cap relief from his salary.
Sabonis has already retired once, sitting out the 2001-2002 season when he also cited the desire to spend more time with his family
A fan favourite, Sabonis joined Portland in 1995 and has averaged 12 points and 7.3 rebounds in 470 games. He is seventh on the team's career list for rebounds with 3,436.
Considered by many to be one of the best European players ever, Sabonis helped the former Soviet Union win the 1988 Olympic gold medal. The Trail Blazers drafted him in 1986, but waited almost a decade for his arrival.
His departure leaves the Trail Blazers with one proven centre, Dale Davis, and one prospect, Ruben Boumtje Boumtje, who has played sparingly in 35 games over two seasons.
Associated Press
8/12/2003
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Portland Trail Blazers centre Arvydas Sabonis will not return to the NBA next season, his agent said Tuesday.
The seven-foot-three Sabonis told Herb Rudoy, his Chicago-based agent, he was retiring to spend more time with his family in Lithuania.
``He informed me (Monday) that it was not his intention to come back and play this year,'' Rudoy said Tuesday.
Rudoy told the Trail Blazers of Sabonis's decision Monday, team spokesman Mike Hanson said. Sabonis was scheduled to be in Portland this week for a team physical. Instead, he stayed home in Lithuania.
The team and Sabonis had until Friday to sign a deal that would have guaranteed his $7-million salary US for the upcoming season. If the Trail Blazers trade him before Friday, a team could gain cap relief from his salary.
Sabonis has already retired once, sitting out the 2001-2002 season when he also cited the desire to spend more time with his family
A fan favourite, Sabonis joined Portland in 1995 and has averaged 12 points and 7.3 rebounds in 470 games. He is seventh on the team's career list for rebounds with 3,436.
Considered by many to be one of the best European players ever, Sabonis helped the former Soviet Union win the 1988 Olympic gold medal. The Trail Blazers drafted him in 1986, but waited almost a decade for his arrival.
His departure leaves the Trail Blazers with one proven centre, Dale Davis, and one prospect, Ruben Boumtje Boumtje, who has played sparingly in 35 games over two seasons.
