Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis has announced that he is stepping away from basketball to prioritize his health.
In a statement posted on social media, Porzingis explained that his body has not responded as expected while preparing for the season.
“This season I was really looking forward to running it with this group, but as I ramped up, my body didn’t respond the way I anticipated.”
The Latvian big man said he is feeling well but is not physically ready to perform at his expected level.
“I’m doing good, but I know what it takes, and I’m not where I want to be to perform at the level that I expect from myself. At this point, I’ve made the decision to prioritize my health and step away from the game I love.”
Porzingis also expressed his respect for the Warriors and said he intends to work with the organization to find a suitable solution.
He thanked his family and supporters but did not specify whether his decision represents a permanent retirement from basketball.
