March 20, 2010; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard (11) celebrates a basket by a teammate against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the second half in the second round of the 2010 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the New Orleans Arena. Kentucky defeated Wake Forest 90-60.
The career of one of basketball’s most electrifying figures has officially come to an end.
On Tuesday morning, the former Kentucky sensation announced on Instagram that he is retiring from playing the game as he moves on to the next chapter of his life. The 6-foot-4 North Carolina native, who last appeared in the NBA with the LA Clippers during the 2022-23 season, closes the book on an unforgettable 11-year professional career. He turns 35 next month.
But don’t call it a goodbye to basketball entirely. In his announcement, he made it clear: “Retired, but never done.”
For many fans, this retirement hits deep. His decision to join Kentucky in 2009 sparked the beginning of the John Calipari era and made the Wildcats the hottest brand in college hoops again. He wiped away the sting of the Billy Gillispie years and instantly brought winning—and swagger—back to Lexington. That debut game-winning shot against Miami (OH)? Unforgettable. The dance that became a cultural phenomenon? Legendary. By 2017, he was rightfully enshrined in the University of Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame.
From there, his rise was meteoric. Selected No. 1 overall in the 2010 NBA Draft, he became the face of the Washington Wizards for nearly a decade. He earned five All-Star selections, nearly took home Rookie of the Year honors, and even cracked the top 10 in MVP voting during the 2016-17 season. Across his career, he averaged 18.7 points and 8.9 assists—numbers that cement him among the most dynamic point guards of his generation.
Sadly, injuries robbed him of what could have been an even greater legacy. After peaking in 2016-17, he never managed to play more than 41 games in a season again, missing all of 2019-20 and 2021-22. Stops with the Rockets and Clippers never quite captured the magic of his Washington prime.
Still, his impact is undeniable. He gave Kentucky back its pride, D.C. a superstar, and basketball fans everywhere highlights they’ll never forget.
One of the greatest to ever wear Kentucky blue is walking away from the court. And for those who grew up watching him? It feels like the end of an era.
