After seven years, 173 games and a career that extended well beyond basketball, Australian centre Isaac Humphries has announced his retirement from professional basketball at just 28 years old, with an ongoing knee injury forcing the difficult decision.
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The Adelaide 36ers big man took to social media earlier to announce his retirement, sharing an emotional farewell to the sport that has given him so much throughout his career.
Humphries, who is yet to play a game this season due to his lingering knee injury, revealed that his ongoing battle with the issue had ultimately forced him to call time on his playing career.
The 6’11 centre from Sydney has been one of the NBL’s most influential figures, both on and off the court, with his impact extending far beyond his performances on the hardwood.
In 2022, while playing for Melbourne United, Humphries made headlines around the world when he publicly came out as gay in an emotional announcement to his teammates, becoming the only openly gay active player in a top-tier professional men’s basketball league at the time.
Since then, Humphries has been a prominent voice in championing the NBL’s Pride Round, which aims to celebrate and support the LGBTQIA+ community.
He also played a role in supporting former NBL star AJ Ogilvy when he publicly came out as gay on the eve of last season’s Pride Round.
His work off the court has been just as significant as his achievements on it, with Humphries helping create a more inclusive environment in basketball and leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.
Now, after a career that has taken him from Australia to the United States and back, Humphries has been forced to say goodbye to the game he loves.
In an emotional statement shared on social media, Humphries wrote:
“Thank you, basketball.
“I’m so sad to say goodbye like this.
“Sometimes life deals you cards that tell your story for you, and due to my continued knee injury I’ve had to make the incredibly difficult decision to retire.
“I’ll miss my teammates. The laughs. The trenches. I’ll miss the fans, the noise, and the feeling of having an entire community behind you.
“I gave so much of my life to this sport, and it gave me a life I could never have imagined right back.
“There is so much more to say, but for now, just thank you.
“I hope the identity I created lives on in every person who wears my jersey, and in every place I was lucky enough to call home.
“It’s not exactly a goodbye, but maybe an until I see you soon.
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“So for now, and from your number 8, thank you.”
Humphries’ retirement comes as a shock, particularly given he is still just 28 years old and had plenty of basketball ahead of him before injuries began taking their toll.
The Sydney-born centre spent his early basketball years in the United States, playing college basketball for Kentucky before earning an opportunity in the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks in 2019.
He would eventually find his way back to Australia, where he built an impressive NBL career across stints with the Sydney Kings, Adelaide 36ers and Melbourne United.
Across his 173 NBL appearances, Humphries played 124 games for the 36ers, establishing himself as one of the league’s most talented Australian big men when healthy.
His best statistical season came during the 2023-24 campaign with Adelaide, where he averaged 15.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting an impressive 56.8% from the field.
Humphries also claimed the NBL’s Rookie of the Year award in 2018 during his time with the Kings, further highlighting the potential he showed early in his professional career.
On the international stage, Humphries represented Australia six times at senior level, most recently featuring for the Boomers during the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers last year.
Unfortunately, his ongoing knee issues have prevented him from taking the court this season, with the injury ultimately bringing his professional career to a premature end.
While his retirement marks the end of his playing days, Humphries leaves behind a legacy that goes far beyond basketball, both through his achievements on the court and his courage to help make the sport a more welcoming place for everyone.
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