Although he hasn’t been on the floor for an NBA game since April of 2023, Victor Oladipo is not ready to say his playing career has come to an end.
Inducted into the IU Athletics Hall of Fame last year, Oladipo reached the pinnacle of his NBA career with the Indiana Pacers, when he was named an NBA All-Star twice in 2018 and 2019. He has played in 504 games in the league over 10 seasons and has a career average of 16.9 points per game.
But for the third time in just over four years Oladipo suffered a major knee injury in April of 2023. The latest injury involved Oladipo’s left knee, while his prior history of major issues related to his right. His prolonged absence has led to widespread speculation his playing days are over.
Now 32, Oladipo says not so fast.
“I’ve been seeing that (retirement) around town, people kind of questioning that. But if you ain’t heard that from the horse’s mouth, don’t believe it. I’m not retiring,” Oladipo said on his own podcast “The Inner Court” released this week. “That’s just not what I’m doing right now.”
“I’m not going out the way you guys last seen me playing. I plan on retiring on 10 toes.”
Oladipo says his daughter is providing inspiration to rewrite the ending of his professional career.
“I have a little one now. When she gets older there’s going to be a different narrative when it comes to her pops,” he said. “Not the one that’s painted right now. It’s going to be a story of glory and triumph.”
Oladipo said he is training and rehabbing every day in preparation for an eventual return. He is currently a free agent. In his most recent transaction, Oladipo was traded by Houston to Memphis. A week later he was waived by the Grizzlies.
Speculation Oladipo was retiring began in earnest in the fall when he began making appearances on ESPN’s NBA coverage as a studio commentator. The two-time NBA All-Star said broadcasting classes at Indiana helped prepare him for that potential path when his playing career does come to an end.
“You got to prepare for the end. I’m not saying I am planning to play for forever. I have the wisdom to understand that,” he said.
Oladipo has overcome the odds before as a basketball player. Not highly recruited out of high school, he rose to a consensus first team All-American at IU in 2013.
Known for his intense work ethic and desire to improve, he went from a 20.8% three-point shooter as a sophomore to 44.1% as a junior. That helped catapult him to the second overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.
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