What’s next for former Arizona Wildcat Andre Iguodala after retiring from NBA?

Former Arizona Wildcat and NBA star Andre Iguodala is set to retire from professional basketball after a long and successful career spanning 19 seasons. The forward will complete his last season playing for the Golden State Warriors and has announced that he would retire at the end of the 2023 season. Iguodala indirectly informed his teammate, Stephen Curry, “I’m letting you know now, Steph, this is the last one.”

Iguodala’s retirement will mark the end of an era, and he will be the last Lute Olson-coached Wildcat to play in the NBA. Lute Olson, the iconic basketball coach, trained 34 Wildcats who went on to become NBA draft picks. Iguodala was selected ninth overall in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, after he averaged 11.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game over his 19-year career.

In his last season with the Philadelphia 76ers, Iguodala recorded an average of 12.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game, receiving an Eastern Conference All-Star honor. He won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and played two seasons with the Denver Nuggets before being included in a three-team trade that sent him to Golden State in 2014.

Iguodala was an NBA All-Defensive Team selection in 2014 and played an instrumental role in the Golden State Warriors’ four championships in six appearances. In 2015, the Warriors, led by fellow ex-Wildcat Steve Kerr, defeated the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, and Iguodala was named Finals MVP.

Iguodala went on to play for the Miami Heat during the pandemic-influenced “bubble” in 2020, returning to the Golden State Warriors for his final two seasons. However, he was plagued by several injuries, forcing him to play in only 39 total games. In addition to his success in basketball, Iguodala published a book, “The Sixth: A Memoir,” in 2019.

Overall, Iguodala’s retirement from professional basketball marks the end of an era both for the NBA and the Arizona Wildcats. Nevertheless, it exemplifies how one could excel in one’s life by following one’s dreams and passion. Iguodala’s dedication, discipline, and hard work throughout his career have left an indelible mark on his teammates, fans, and basketball enthusiasts worldwide, bringing pride to the Arizona Wildcats.

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