Kevin Pangos retires from basketball at the age of 33

The Canadian point guard Kevin Pangos has put an end to his professional basketball career at the age of 33, after more than a decade competing in the major European leagues and the NBA. Through an emotional message shared on social media, the player thanked his family, coaches, teammates, and clubs, while reflecting on the sacrifices and moments that defined his sports career.

A journey different from what he imagined

Pangos described in his statement how childhood shaped his aspirations. "As a child, I took a ball everywhere. I wrote my goals on it. I slept with it. I dreamed of what I could achieve," the player expressed. However, he acknowledged that reality was not exactly as he imagined: not being selected in the NBA draft, spending six years playing abroad, and finally signing a guaranteed contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers at 28 years old.

This last achievement represented the culmination of a dream postponed for years. After completing four seasons at Gonzaga, Pangos began his professional career in Gran Canaria in 2015. A year later, he took the leap to one of the best European leagues by joining Zalgiris Kaunas, where he established himself as one of the standout point guards in the continental competition.

Success in the EuroLeague and international recognition

During his time at Zalgiris, Pangos helped the Lithuanian team reach the EuroLeague Final Four in 2018, their first appearance at that stage since 1999. After averaging 12.7 points and 5.9 assists, he was included in the EuroLeague's second-best team, proving his quality as a playmaker and scorer.

Pangos then continued his European journey representing Barcelona and Zenit of St. Petersburg. With the latter team, he achieved a spot in the EuroLeague's best team in 2021, improving his numbers to 13.5 points and 6.6 assists per game. These records solidified his reputation as one of the most consistent point guards in European basketball in the 2010s.

The final years marked by adversity

After his time in the NBA with the Cavaliers, Pangos continued his career with European teams like Milan, Valencia, Napoli, and Erokspor in Istanbul. However, injuries became a constant that limited his performance and availability. "My career had moments of absolute glory and others of great toughness. Injuries made these last years incredibly difficult," the player confessed in his farewell.

Despite these physical setbacks, Pangos expressed gratitude for having been able to compete enough for his children to see him in action. This family perspective marked an important point in his reflection on a career that, although not without obstacles, allowed him to achieve goals that seemed distant in his childhood.

A career devoted to the fullest

In his farewell message, Pangos stated that he retires knowing he gave everything in the sport. "I don't know if any athlete finishes their career completely satisfied. We always believe we are capable of more. But I can say 1000% that I gave everything I had. I never let circumstances dictate my attitude," he noted. These words reflect a competitor's mentality that, even in the face of difficulties, maintained his commitment and professionalism.

The Canadian closed his statement addressing the child he once was, the one who spent hours playing alone in the entrance of his home with a ball on which he wrote his dreams. "We did it! We gave our all and achieved everything you always dreamed of. Now it's time to do the same in the next chapter. Thank you, basketball!" he expressed with a mix of gratitude and hope for the future.

Pangos's retirement marks the end of an era for a player who represented effort and perseverance in European basketball. His journey, from American universities to the major continental stages, leaves a legacy of consistency and dedication that transcends statistical numbers. With this farewell, the Canadian point guard closes a chapter of his life dedicated to sports, ready to embark on new adventures outside the court.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Kevin Pangos se retira del baloncesto a los 33 años