11-time All-Star Chris Bosh doesn't rule out NBA return, says he's 'not retired yet'

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Chris Bosh, who last played an NBA game in February 2016, reiterated his desire to return to NBA action in an interview with Rebecca Haarlow during the second quarter of a preseason game between the Knicks and Wizards Monday night.

When asked about his current status as a player, Bosh said: “I have to remind people that I’m not retired yet, I haven’t made up my mind." The two-time NBA champion continued, saying "basketball is still in my heart and on my mind, and that’s one of the main things that I’m trying to get back to. I always have to tell people that I’m still going.”

In a separate interview with the New York Daily News, Bosh said he will make a final decision in regards to his career by the 2019 All-Star break – he didn't rule out playing with the Knicks, either.

Bosh's career came to a halt midway through the 2015-16 season due to the reoccurrence of a blood clot that also kept him out of the final 30 games in the 2014-15 season. Despite his health issues, Bosh was named to the All-Star team in 2015 and 2016, as he averaged 20.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game over the two-year span.

Over a year ago, the issues with his blood clots were ruled by the league and its player's union as career-ending.

After being selected with the No. 4 overall pick by the Toronto Raptors in 2003, the 6-foot-11 lefty spent the first seven seasons of his career with the franchise. In his time with the Raptors, Bosh earned five All-Star selections and was named Second Team All-NBA in 2007.

In 2010, Bosh left via free agency to join the Miami Heat, where he would earn six more All-Star selections and win back-to-back NBA titles in 2012 and 2013. It was in Miami where Bosh developed a strong relationship with the Knicks current head coach David Fizdale, who he was in New York to support on Monday night.

Bosh, who this summer said he could be a 3-and-D guy for a team, fits the bill of the ideal big man in today's game. In his most recent two seasons, he connected on nearly 37 percent of 4.0 3-point attempts per game and in 893 career games, Bosh has posted averages of 19.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. 

 

 

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Gilbert McGregor is an NBA content producer for The Sporting News.