Forward power to Brooklyn webs, Lamarcus Aldridge, Retiring from the NBA, he announced via Twitter on Thursday.
Citing a recent health problem caused by an irregular heartbeat, Aldridge says, “It’s time to put my health and my family first.”
“The last thing I played was dealing with an irregular heartbeat,” Aldridge wrote in a social media post. “Late that night, my speed got even worse, which made me even more anxious.”
– Lamarcus Aldridge (@Altridge_12) April 15, 2021
Aldridge, who signed with the Nets at the end of March, last played for the Brooklyn team against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 10, losing 23 minutes that night.
“The next morning, I told the team what was going on and they treated me well and took me to the hospital for an examination,” Aldridge wrote. “Even though I’m fine now, that night was one of the scariest things I’ve ever felt with my heart.”
“I’m grateful for everything this game has given me: great memories of all the ups and downs, and the friendships I made that I will stay with forever. The opportunity to thank a Portland boy who chose a skinny boy from Texas and gave him one.”
The team have outscored Aldridge in their last two games with a non-Govt-19 illness.
Nets general manager Sean Marx says the team fully supports Aldridge’s decision.
“We know this was not an easy decision for him, but after careful consideration and consultation with medical professionals, he made the best decision for himself, his family and his life after basketball,” Marx said in a statement.
Aldridge chose Nets after agreeing to buy with San Antonio Spurs, where he spent the previous five and a half seasons. He spent the first nine years of his career with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Aldridge averaged 12.8 points in five games with the Nets. He finished second in the 2006 NBA Draft and averaged 19.4 points and 8.2 recycled in his career, being selected to the All-Star Games seven times.