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Lonzo Ball Has Announced His Retirement From The NBA

The former No. 2 overall draft pick concluded his nine-season career following recurring complications from a knee injury.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Basketball

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Lonzo Ball, the former No. 2 overall NBA draft pick, has announced his retirement from basketball following persistent knee injury complications. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Lonzo Ball announced his retirement from the NBA on his podcast after a nine-season career hampered by persistent knee complications. Ball, 28, last played in the league prior to suffering a series of severe knee injuries starting in 2022.

Why it matters

Ball's retirement marks the end of a career for a high-profile former draft pick whose professional trajectory was significantly altered by medical setbacks. His departure highlights the long-term impact that meniscus injuries can have on professional athletic longevity.

Lonzo Ball retired at age 28 with career averages of 10.6 points and 5.6 assists over 322 games. He previously played 35 games for both the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he averaged 4.6 points per game.

The players

Lonzo Ball

He was a former NBA guard who was selected with the second overall pick in the 2017 draft.

Utah Jazz

This professional basketball organization is part of the NBA's Western Conference.

Chicago Bulls

This professional basketball franchise is based in Chicago and competes in the NBA.

Cleveland Cavaliers

This professional basketball team is based in Cleveland and competes in the NBA.

The details

After being drafted second overall in 2017, Ball struggled to remain on the court following a meniscus tear in January 2022. He attempted a return after a complex March 2023 procedure involving a donor meniscus and cartilage implant, but was eventually waived by the Utah Jazz following the February 5, 2026 trade deadline.

Timeline

  1. 2017: Lonzo Ball was drafted No. 2 overall.

  2. January 2022: Lonzo Ball tore his left meniscus.

  3. March 2023: Lonzo Ball received a donor meniscus and cartilage implant.

  4. February 5, 2026: Utah Jazz waived Lonzo Ball at trade deadline.

  5. September 2026: Lonzo Ball announced his retirement on his podcast.

Season Trajectory

Ball's retirement closes the chapter on a prominent member of the 2017 NBA draft class who faced significant health hurdles. His exit removes a veteran presence from the league landscape and confirms the impact of chronic injury management on modern player career lengths.

Ball's retirement officially removes him from league rosters, solidifying his career stat line of 322 games played. His departure concludes any potential speculation regarding his availability for active team rotations or future trade considerations.

The takeaway

Lonzo Ball's career underscores the high physical toll that modern professional basketball can exert on even the most talented prospects. His transition into retirement serves as a reminder of the vital importance of long-term medical recovery for professional athletes.

Further reading

For more on the current landscape of the professional game, visit the Basketball section.

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Do professional athletes have sufficient influence over their own career and health decisions?