Former Pistons big man Jon Leuer has announced his retirement after spending eight seasons in the NBA, the 31-year-old wrote on social media.
Leuer, who made stops with Milwaukee, Cleveland, Memphis, Phoenix and Detroit across his career, officially bid farewell to the game on Sunday.
“I love the game of basketball. I still want to play, but I know deep down it’s not the right decision for my health anymore,” he wrote on Instagram. “The past three years I’ve dealt with a number of injuries, including two that kept me out this whole season. It’s taken me a while to come to grips with this, but I’m truly at peace with my decision to officially retire.
“As disappointing as these injuries have been, I’m still thankful for every moment I spent playing the game. Basketball has been the most amazing journey of my life. It’s taken me places I only could’ve dreamed about as a kid. The relationships it brought me mean more than anything. I’ve been able to connect with people from all walks of life and forged lifelong bonds with many of them. What this game has brought me stretches way beyond basketball. I’m grateful for this incredible ride and everyone who helped me along the way.”
Leuer was the No. 40 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and last played with the Pistons in April of 2019. Detroit traded him to Milwaukee last June; the Bucks later waived him in early July.
Leuer ended his career holding per-game averages of 6.4 points and 3.8 rebounds, mostly serving as a player off the bench. Perhaps his best season came during the 2016/17 campaign, which saw him average 10.2 points, four rebounds and 25.9 minutes per game in 75 contests.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Happy retirement Jon! A quietly solid career, especially for a 2nd rd pick
Got paid too
he was always on my 2k teams. quality backup
Probably Phoenix was the biggest point of his career.
The Suns office has been really screwy for a long time and I remember that letting Lauer go was a huge disappointment.
Pocketed $35,000,000 off the bench. Not bad.
Jon Leuer would’ve been a 1st ballot HOF if he played in the 60s
Good for him! Used basketball to a precision. Made a ton of money and retired young.
Rest up, get healthy, and go have fun in the YMCA leagues!
Hell of a run. This dude made around $14,000 per point scored. Good work if you can get it.