Chris Bosh grieved for a few years after retirement

Former Miami Heat big Chris Bosh last appeared on an NBA court on Feb. 9, 2016, due to blood-clotting issues. The 6-foot-11 big failed a Heat physical ahead of the 2016-17 season, and in June of 2017, an NBA doctor ruled that Bosh was dealing with a “career-ending illness” that ultimately forced him to retire.

It was an incredibly unfortunate end to a spectacular career for Bosh, an 11-time All-Star and a two-time champion with the Heat in 2012 and 2013. Though over 3,100 days later, he returned to the hardwood to play a couple of minutes in Goran Dragic’s farewell event, “I Feel Slovenia Night of the Dragon.”

Bosh, 40, opened up on his post-retirement years, which he had trouble getting over mentally at the time.

“It was the death of my career, to be honest,” Bosh told BasketNews.com’s Mandaugas Bertys. “Any time dealing with loss and death and stuff like that, you go through grief. I had to do that for a few years. I got over it. I believe it made me stronger. It made me focus on being more of a father.”

Chris Bosh grieved for a “few years” upon retirement:

“Any time dealing with loss and death and stuff like that, you go through grief. … I got over it. I believe it made me stronger. It made me focus on being more of a father.”

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— Hot Hot Hoops (@hothothoops) August 26, 2024

It’s difficult for some athletes to step away from the game they love–especially with Bosh’s circumstance regarding his health. He was in the midst of another great season with the Heat, averaging 19.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists on 46.7 percent shooting and 36.5 percent shooting from 3-point range on a career-most 4.2 3-point attempts per game.

Not to mention, Bosh was in his age-31 season–that’s the physical prime of one’s career more often than not. Though it’s encouraging to hear that Bosh is in good spirits despite a premature end, stating he doesn’t have any regrets.

“Yeah, I don’t have a regret,” he told BasketNews. “It all went good. A couple of championships. Got to meet some great people, have some great teammates, great stories, great locker rooms.

“I’m a lucky guy.”

Over his 13-year career, Bosh averaged 19.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists on 49.4/33.5/79.9 shooting splits. In just six seasons, he ranks 6th in franchise history in scoring (6,914) 7th in made field goals (2,595) and 8th in rebounds (2,816) plus blocked shots (332).

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