Andrew Bogut, No.1 Pick in 2005 NBA Draft, Retires from Basketball

Andrew Bogut with the Lakers in 2017. Photo by Jevone Moore/Cal Sport Media/CSM/REX/Shutterstock

There was chatter in the past that Australian center Andrew Bogut had been thinking about returning to the NBA, but it turns out that won’t happen. Instead of returning to the United States, Bogut decided to end his basketball career.

Bogut announced the retirement on his Rogue Bogues Podcast. According to the 36-year-old player, he initially wanted to call it quits after making one more appearance with Australia’s national basketball team in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

However, once the Olympics were postponed to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, Bogut decided not to wait anymore.

“That would have been my fourth Olympics, and selfishly, it would have been a great accolade to have four Olympics under your belt, but I just can’t physically and mentally get to 2021 with the way the body has been,” said Bogut. “I mean, I could on a lot of painkillers and a lot of physical and mental anguish, but it’s just not worth it at this point in my career.”

Andrew Bogut entered the NBA in 2005 as the Milwaukee Bucks’ first overall pick in the NBA Draft, and went on to play for 14 years in the league. Other than the Bucks, he also suited up for the Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and LA Lakers.

Bogut played his best basketball in Milwaukee but was most successful team-wise with Golden State. He helped the franchise win the NBA title in 2015, while also being part of their squad when they reached the NBA Finals the following season.

During his time in the NBA, Bogut averaged 9.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and, 1.5 blocks.