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http://seven.com.au/news/sport/80742
Andrew Gaze retires after 22-year career
Date: 13/05/05
By Guy Hand
Andrew Gaze, the Bradman of Australian basketball, has brought down a teary, humble and dignified curtain on his decorated 22-year playing career.
Gaze, the greatest basketballer ever produced in Australia, announced his playing retirement after breaking virtually every available record in a career spanning five Olympics, four world championships and 22 NBL seasons at the Melbourne Tigers.
With his father and long-time Tigers coach Lindsay also calling it quits, Gaze held back tears as he said wear and tear on his body had led to his decision to retire.
Gaze had been subject to some last-minute pressure - not the least from his father - trying to convince him to squeeze one more NBL season out of a near 40-year-old body.
And he revealed he had only made his final decision to quit this week, citing the fact he was seriously feeling the effects of a top-level basketball career started at age 18.
"I've been backwards and forwards about retiring since the end of the season; I've had dad and a lot of other people trying to talk me into playing another year, but that's it," Gaze said.
"My desire has always been to keep playing, I'd love to keep playing, my mind is willing to keep playing and it pains me not to be able to keep playing at this level.
"But you get to a point where you think about your own wellbeing.
"There's a lot of wear and tear on the body that makes it difficult to physically get through - that's probably the primary reason."
The most moving tribute to Gaze came from his father, not normally noted for effusive public praise.
When asked if he was a proud father, Gaze senior said: "My departure will be hardly noticed, but you cannot possibly imagine the difference, the chasm that will be left in the game without Andrew.
"When you go through the history of his performances, and try to compare it with any other outstanding individual sports achievement, especially in the team concept, I struggle."
Gaze, who turns 40 in July, rated playing for Australia as his career highlight, especially his five Olympic Games and being flagbearer for the opening ceremony at his farewell Games in Sydney in 2000.
He leaves the sport with more NBL games than any other player, more NBL points than anyone else, and proved himself capable of playing regularly with the world's elite as he won an NBA championship with San Antonio in 1999.
Seven NBL most valuable player les, two NBL championships and the Tigers' go-to man even in the twilight of his career, Gaze has been the most recognisable name and face in the sport for two decades.
It is the end of an era at the Tigers, with Lindsay also stepping aside as head coach after 35 years at the club, including its 22 in the NBL.
He coached the Tigers to NBL les in 1993 and 1997 and has coached more NBL games than any other person.
Both will remain involved with the Tigers.
Lindsay will take up a role as coaching and development manager while Andrew will become the Tigers media manager.
Lindsay's long-time assistant, Al Westover, will take over as Tigers head coach next season.
Copyright © 2005 AAP, Seven Network (Operations) Ltd
