Terrence Ross: Former NBA Dunk Contest champion announces retirement / News - Basketnews.com

Despite the rumors about a potential move to Europe, Terrence Ross has decided to end his 11-year playing career.

Credit: USA Today Sports – Scanpix Credit USA Today Sports – Scanpix

It was August 20, when NBA veteran Terrence Rossconfirmed in a Twitch livestream that he had received an offer fromPartizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade.

"If there is an opportunity to return to Serbia together with my family and live there for a certain period of time, that is something I would certainly think about because it has enormous sentimental importance. If I was going to play overseas, that's the only option," the NBA veteran said.

The US forward and Slam Dunk Contest champion had been a free agent after finishing the 2022-23 season with the Phoenix Suns.

On 1 December, the 32-year-old announced his retirement.

"I think now, especially since some time has passed, I'm done," he said on his own podcast. "I'm starting to see how much I love being at home and just playing the dad role, just being part of my family."

Ross played for the Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns over his NBA career. In 733 contests, he averaged 11 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.8 threes per game.

"I'm watching these games and, instead of thinking like, 'God, I really miss being out there,' the first thing that came to my head was like, 'okay, Boston is playing New York',Ross admitted.

After he announced his retirement, Ross appeared at the Washington Wizards at Magic game on Friday and got a rousing ovation from the fans.

"It gives us another guy that can get his own shot, but he can also space the floor and knock down some threes," ex-Suns head coach Monty Williams said of Ross’ skill set in March.

Ross was Toronto’s first-round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, being selected 8th overall. While with the Raptors, he scored a career-best 51 points against the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014 - at the time it tied Vince Carter’s franchise’s single-game scoring record.

He got traded to the Orlando Magic midway through the 2016-17 NBA season. His tenure in Orlando ended last season when his contract was bought out, and he became a free agent. Ross then signed with the Phoenix Suns and provided a spark off the bench. However, he barely had any playing time in the postseason as the Suns were eliminated in the second round.

A product of Washington University, Ross was also the second Raptors player to ever win a Slam Dunk Contest.

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