Chris Bosh Prepared To Retire

Veteran big man Chris Bosh hasn’t played in the NBA since the 2015/16 season due to health issues related to blood clots, but has talked frequently since then about pursuing a comeback. In a podcast conversation with Bill Simmons of The Ringer, however, Bosh sounded prepared to give up his hopes of playing in the NBA again, suggesting he’ll officially call it a career (hat tip to Bryan Kalbrosky of HoopsHype).

Discussing his jersey retirement ceremony in Miami on March 26, Bosh acknowledged that he’ll likely get emotional at that event since he knows “that part of my life is over.”

“That has been a tough thing to deal with, but I’m good,” Bosh said, adding that he was “still trying pretty adamantly” to get back into the NBA last year, particularly as he saw the success that stretch fives were having around the league. However, he’s no longer continuing those efforts.

“That time has passed,” Bosh said. “I’ve made the decision not to pursue it anymore.”

According to Bosh, he plans to officially retire during that ceremony in Miami next month, two days after he turns 35. He joked to Simmons that he might be the first player to retire as a player on the same night that his most recent team raises his jersey to the rafters.

In 13 total seasons with the Raptors and Heat, Bosh averaged 19.2 PPG, 8.5 RPG, and 2.0 APG in 893 regular season contests, appearing in another 89 postseason games and earning a pair of titles with Miami. He also earned 11 All-Star nods and appeared on an All-NBA team in 2007.

While it’s not clear yet what the next phase of Bosh’s career will look like, he indicated that his health problems are under control and expressed some interest in a broadcasting job or an NBA front office role.

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