Kyle Hines addresses retirement scenarios, names reason for skipping international play / News - Basketnews.com

Kyle Hines shares the conversations he had with Ettore Messina and Gigi Datome, touches on a rare emotional outburst, and comments on Nikola Mirotic's signing. He also names the EuroLeague transfers he least expected and explains why he'd never play for a country other than the USA.

Credit: LPS via ZUMA Press Wire Credit LPS via ZUMA Press Wire

In October 2021,EA7 Emporio Armani Milan head coach Ettore Messina was asked aboutKyle Hines' thoughts on a potential retirement.

The EuroLeague veteran was entering the final year of his contract with the Italian club, and the finishing line looked closer than ever.

"This might be ultimately the last season of my career," Hines saidin an interview with Eurohoops. "I'm not sure, there are not too many 35-36 years old American players around still playing at this level".

Addressing those statements, Messina revealed that he sent Hines a text that read, "Let's not joke."

As it turned out, Hines has played another two seasons, counting the one that's about to start in a few days.

"It's a natural thought as I'm getting older and especially after I see that some of my peers start to leave and take on new roles," Hines toldBasketNewsin a sit-down interview while his team was in Athens to face Olympiacos Piraeus.

Hines, who recently turned 37, is a four-time EuroLeague champion, a member of the EuroLeague 2010-20 All-Decade Team, and was voted the league's DPOY three times. He's also won a domestic championship title in every country he's played (Germany, Greece, Russia, Italy).

Even at an advanced age for sports standards, the goal of winning provides the perfect motivation. But the path to success is equally important to him.

"I love winning trophies with my teammates and going through the ups and downs that lead to those final moments. Those are the things I enjoy the most," he confirmed.

Apart from his plans for the future, Kyle Hines had a lot more to share with BasketNews.

He reflected on what the EuroLeague's future might look like, touched on a rare emotional outburst he had last year, and commented on Nikola Mirotic's signing by Milan.

The two-time Italian champion also named the two EuroLeague transfers that surprised him the most, recalled the best moments he spent alongside Vassilis Spanoulis, and explained why he would never play for a country other than the USA.

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