Former All-Star Gordon Hayward Retires After 14 Seasons in the NBA

Former NBA All-Star and lottery pick Gordon Hayward has announced his retirement from professional basketball after 14 seasons. The announcement was made on Thursday.

Hayward was selected ninth overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2010 NBA Draft, where he spent the first seven years of his career. His final season with the Jazz marked the peak of his performance, as he averaged 21.9 points per game.

After his successful stint in Utah, Hayward signed with the Boston Celtics. However, his tenure there was marred by a season-ending leg injury that he suffered just five minutes into his debut. He spent two more seasons with the Celtics before being traded to the Charlotte Hornets.

During his time with the Hornets from 2020 to 2024, Hayward started 167 of the 168 games he played. He was later traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder at last year's trade deadline, where he saw limited action, averaging under seven minutes per game in the playoffs and finishing without any points.

At 34 years old, Hayward is widely recognized for his notable college career at Butler University. Under head coach Brad Stevens, he helped lead the Bulldogs to the national championship game against Duke in 2010. The game ended in a narrow defeat for Butler, with Hayward infamously missing a half-court shot at the buzzer that would have clinched the victory.

Over his NBA career, Hayward recorded averages of 15.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting 45.5% from the field and 37% from three-point range across 649 regular-season games. He also participated in 36 playoff games during five postseason appearances.