Two-time National Basketball Association (NBA) champion Rajon Rondo hangs up his sneakers following a seasoned 16-year professional career. The 38-year-old point guard appeared on Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson’s “ALL THE SMOKE” podcast with a conclusive decision to move past his playing days and focus on fatherhood.
Towards the latter portion of the episode, Barnes introduced the possibility of an NBA return, which Rondo immediately turned down.
“Absolutely. Yeah, I’m done. I’d rather spend time with my kids,” he mentioned.
With almost a thousand games and four All-Star appearances under his belt, the self-proclaimed “full-time dad” last appeared on the hardwood nearly two years ago with the Cleveland Cavaliers, garnering career averages of 9.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per contest.
Apart from his titles with the “Anything is Possible” Boston Celtics and the bubble Los Angeles Lakers, his influence extends beyond his offensive cornerstone and defensive anchor distinction, evidenced by the massive embrace from Filipinos during a spontaneous visit to the country during Red Bull’s “Manila’s Got Wings” (originated from “Boston’s Got Wings”) last 2012.
During his stay, he attended a collegiate matchup between the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles and the Far Eastern University Tamarraws, headed a two-hour skills clinic, and refurbished San Juan National High School’s gymnasium as part of his project.
Amazed by the nation’s basketball-centric persona, he drew similarities between Boston’s crazed-filled atmosphere and Manila’s unwavering dedication to the sport, as his visit was built on “common sense.”
“They (Filipinos) bleed basketball. It’s like being home in Boston, but kinda on steroids. Population of about 93 million, and they show a lot of love. A lot of fans understood the game of basketball, and I think they could relate to me because I'm not the biggest guy on the court, but I play with a lot of heart,” he said.
