Unrestricted free agent Gordon Hayward has made the decision to retire. He announced his retirement across social media this Thursday morning.
“Today, I am officially walking away from the game of basketball,” he wrote. “It has been an exceptional journey, and I am profoundly grateful to all those who supported me in exceeding my loftiest expectations.”
Hayward was initially drafted to Utah as the ninth selection in the 2010 NBA Draft. The former Butler Bulldog had a slow start, averaging 16.9 minutes and 5.4 points per game in his rookie season. Over time, Hayward adapted to the NBA, witnessing a rise in his scoring average over the first seven seasons of his career, culminating in a peak of 21.9 points during the 2016-17 season.
