INDIANAPOLIS — After 10 seasons in the NBA Darren Collison has decided to hang the sneakers up as he announced his retirement on Friday in a letter addressed to ESPN’s Undefeated. At only 31 years old Collison is walking away to focus on his family and most importantly his Jehovah’s Witnesses faith.
Here’s an excerpt from that letter: “While I still love basketball, I know there is something more important, which is my family and my faith,” Collison said. “I am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and my faith means everything to me. I receive so much joy from volunteering to help others and participate in a worldwide ministry. The joy I feel is unmatched. With that being said, I have decided to retire from the NBA.”
He played for five teams during his career including New Orleans, Indiana, Dallas, LA Clippers and Sacramento. I covered him all four seasons that he played with the Pacers including his final two years in Indianapolis.
Collison was always a pleasure to be around and was nothing short of a professional in handling himself with the media. He’ll be passing up an opportunity to make anywhere from about $10 million to $12 million in free agency this summer but his faith was far more important at this point in his life. After all, he’s made more than $43 million over the course of his career. With the right financial management that should last him a lifetime.
Let’s keep it real or all the way 100, whichever comes 1st! Boyz don’t retire when they can still play if they’re broke. The homie D.C. is in great shape to live the rest of his life comfortably.
Former teammate Victor Oladipo sent him a shout out on Twitter:
Thank You General! 🙏🏿🙌🏿 pic.twitter.com/4qwN0D6OqR
— Victor Oladipo (@VicOladipo) June 29, 2019
Good luck playa! It’s been fun covering your career! I know that I’ll run into you in these NBA streets at some point. Stop me when I start lyin’!
