Blue Man Hoop
Fansided

Golden State Warriors to immortalize franchise legend after retirement call

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 18: Andre Iguodala #9, Stephen Curry #30, Draymond Green #23, and Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors pose with their championship rings in front of a championship banner during a ceremony prior to the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center on October 18, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 18: Andre Iguodala #9, Stephen Curry #30, Draymond Green #23, and Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors pose with their championship rings in front of a championship banner during a ceremony prior to the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center on October 18, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob has confirmed the franchise will retire the no. 9 jersey of Andre Iguodala, with the 19-year veteran having officially announced his retirement on Friday.

After joining the Warriors ahead of the 2013-14 season, Iguodala played a major role in revolutionizing the franchise with five-straight Finals appearances during a six-year period that included three NBA championships.

Andre Iguodala is one of at least four modern Golden State Warriors legends expected to have their jerseys raised in the rafters at Chase Center.

Following a stint with the Miami Heat where he made it back to the NBA Finals again in 2020, Iguodala rejoined Golden State for two more seasons that included a fourth championship in 2022.

Unfortunately, his final season didn’t go according to plan. After considering retirement at a similar point last year, Iguodala signed on but managed just eight games including none after a wrist injury sustained against the Phoenix Suns in March.

The 39-year-old is sure to be remembered as one of the franchise’s best and most impactful players in history, with his crowning moment coming when he won the 2015 NBA Finals MVP in the Warriors historic first championship in 40 years.

In a statement on Friday, Lacob confirmed that Iguodala would be immortalized with no player to wear his no. 9 jersey at the Warriors again.

"“His team-first approach, which we witnessed immediately upon his arrival in Golden State, helped set the tone for much of our success, as did the impact he had on the defensive end of the floor. We look forward to raising #9 to the rafters in Chase Center at some point in the future,” Lacob said."

Head coach Steve Kerr labelled Iguodala “just an absolute winner” and added that “I was lucky to coach him.” There will a plethora of appreciation to come over the next few hours, days, weeks and months, including from long-time teammates Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green who will have their jersey’s retired alongside Iguodala’s at some point in the future.

Golden State Warriors: 50-50 rotation battle turns one-sided during preseason. dark. Next

Iguodala has already built an extensive portfolio off the floor, with success certain to continue after an NBA career that left an indelible legacy particularly at the Warriors.

Home/Warriors News