Cleveland Cavaliers big man and former CSKA Moscow standout Sasha Kaun has announced his retirement from professional basketball, aged 31.
Kaun, who won an NBA title with the Cavs last season cited ankle problems as the main factor towards retirement.
Via KU Sports:
Kaun said he started thinking seriously about retirement “toward the end of the season. I kind of feel my ankle has been bothering me awhile. With the amount of pain I was going through, I just wanted to be done. It’s something I’ve had all my career,” he added of right ankle problems.
“It was definitely getting worse and worse, year by year. Especially coming here (one year in NBA after seven seasons in Moscow) … the intensity of the game I just kind of realized I don’t think I can go and do it any more.
“I said, ‘You know what? I’m not going to be happy playing. I’m not going to be happy not playing. I think it’s a good time to call it quits.’’
“I feel good to be part of that team, obviously,” Kaun said. “Unfortunately my role was very limited and small. Still to be wanted by a team like this and to be part of it has been a phenomenal experience.”
The title, of course, put him in select company.“I was just talking to my father-in-law the other day. He was like, ‘How many players have won a national title, Olympic medal and world (NBA) championship?’ It’s fun to be part of that group,” Kaun said of players such as Lovellette, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Jerry Lucas, KC Jones and Quinn Buckner.
