Zo forced to retire

[Plainview1981]

New Jersey Nets center Alonzo Mourning will no longer be able to play professional basketball, effective November 24, 2003, due to an existing medical condition, Nets President/General Manager Rod Thorn announced today.

“ It is with great sadness that I make this announcement,” said Thorn. “Alonzo is a true champion and a very courageous athlete who attempted to defy the odds with his comeback to the NBA. Unfortunately, his medical condition will not allow him to continue his basketball career. Our thoughts and prayers are with him as he continues his fight against this disease.”

Mourning, who was in his 12th season in the NBA, was signed by the Nets as a free agent on July 16, 2003. He had played in all 12 games for the Nets this season, averaging 8.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 17.9 minutes of action. Mourning brought career stats of 20.3 ppg and 9.8 rpg into the campaign, which included three years with the Charlotte Hornets and eight (seven active) years with the Miami Heat.

Drafted by Charlotte in the First Round (2nd overall pick) of the 1992 NBA Draft and selected to the All-Rookie First Team, Mourning was a seven-time NBA All-Star, a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1998-1999, 1999-2000), a member of the All-NBA First Team in 1998-99 and Second Team in 1999-2000, a two-time member of the All-Defensive First Team (1998-99, 1999-2000) and was the winner of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in 2001-02.

[Dukegotgame]

K-Mart should be feeling like a complete ass right about now.

[beav]

no kidding.. talk about the all-time putting your foot in your mouth moves...

[Blunt91]

Now New Jersey looks stupid for letting Mutombo go. Now they have no Mourning or Mutombo to back up Jason Collins. The Nets will not go back to the finals this year.