Gordon Hayward retires from NBA following Thunder disappointment

Gordon Hayward is hanging up his sneakers.

The 34-year-old called it a career after 14 NBA seasons, announcing his decision on social media on Thursday.

“Today, I am officially retiring from the game of basketball,” Hayward wrote on X. “It’s been an incredible ride and I’m so grateful to everyone who helped me achieve more than I ever imagined.”

The Butler product was on the precipice of stardom at the end of his college career, coming up just short of a national title with the Bulldogs in 2010 — his half-court heave at the buzzer coming down just barely to the left of the hoop in what would’ve been the wildest moment in college basketball history.

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He went on to be the No. 9 pick in the NBA draft later that year, going to the Jazz, with whom he became an All-Star in 2017.

The following season, he bolted for Boston, reuniting with his former Butler coach Brad Stevens, who was a key figure in turning him from an unranked three-star recruit into an NBA player.

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Hayward did not get off to a good start in Boston, fracturing his tibia and dislocating his ankle in a gruesome opening-night injury during the 2017-18 season.

Injuries continued to mar his stay with the Celtics, who traded him to the Hornets in 2020.

Hayward was dealt to the Thunder this past season but played sparingly as the 2024 trade deadline acquisition didn’t quite work out in Oklahoma City.

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He was frustrated after their second-round playoff exit in which he played a grand total of 15 minutes in the six-game series.

“Disappointing with how it all kind of worked out,” he told reporters after the playoff elimination . “Certainly frustrating. I feel as a player, I have a lot to offer. Just wasn’t really given much of an opportunity to do that. I thought I would be given that opportunity.”

Still, Hayward showed gratitude toward his fans as his career closed after 835 regular-season NBA games where he averaged 15.2 points and 4.4 rebounds.

“To all my fans: thank you for supporting me through the ups and downs,” Hayward wrote on Thursday. “I’ll always cherish the letters of encouragement and the moments we’ve shared around the world.

“You inspired me to always dream big and improve everyday — and for the young players up next, I challenge you do to the same.”

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