There are some things more important than basketball.
For Rajon Rondo, it’s about getting time with his family, which led him to announce his official retirement from professional basketball during an appearance on a TV show. Podcast “All the Smoke” on monday.
Rondo has not been on an NBA roster since the 2021-22 season, when he played for both the Lakers and Cavaliers.
“Yes, it’s over. I can’t. I’d rather spend time with my kids,” Rondo told host Matt Barnes when asked if his time in the NBA was over.
“What an amazing time it was. When I was in the game, that was something I never took for granted,” Rondo added. “I loved every moment of it and am grateful for the brotherhood that we were able to share, bond and grow over the years. It made me who I am.
“I always tell people, this was my goal, not my dream. I was able to keep myself grounded and disciplined, and I didn’t party much in college. But life… It was worth the sacrifice to get to where I wanted to go.”
A star at the University of Kentucky, Rondo played 16 seasons in the NBA, nine of them with the Celtics, winning a title (2007-08) and making four All-Star teams during his time in Boston.
A first-round pick of the Suns in 2006 and traded to Boston on draft night, Rondo averaged 9.8 points, 7.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 957 career games.
He led the league in assists with three and steals with one, and was named All-NBA in 2011-12.
The 38-year-old was also a four-time All-Defense team member.
He won the NBA championship with the Celtics in 2008 and the Lakers in 2020.
Rondo said during his podcast appearance that he is completing his degree at the University of Kentucky through a combination of online and in-person classes.
He also coaches his 12-year-old son, Rajon Rondo Jr.
The elder Rondo has also been dealing with some legal issues since being arrested in Indiana in January on charges of illegal possession of a firearm and possession of both drug paraphernalia and marijuana.
All are misdemeanors.
Rondo, who? He reportedly refused a plea deal.the trial is scheduled to begin on June 13th. According to Jackson County court records..
