David Aliu Retires from Professional Basketball

Image credit: BBL

David Aliu has become the latest player to retire from professional basketball, it was announced this afternoon.

The Liverpool-born forward has enjoyed an extensive 12-year career across Europe and in particular, the BBL, where he became a fans favourite across the league.

Aliu had spells at the (Scottish) Rocks, Leicester Riders, Everton/Mersey Tigers, Manchester Giants and most recently Cheshire Phoenix, where his career finishes following two years as captain.

“It’s not a decision I’ve taken lightly and I’ve been going back and forth on it for some time and have spoken with my family about what is the right thing to do and I think now is the right time to retire,” Aliu told the Chester Chronicle.

“I could have played another year but playing professionally takes its toll with all the travel and I wanted to be able to spend some real quality time with my partner and my kids.

“That’s something that I’ve never really been able to do properly for much of the year and something that means far more to me than anything else.”

Aliu also played in Iceland, Switzerland and Spain during his pro career, which began in 2004 following time in the U.S at NCAA D1 school, Morehead State.

The 35-year-old played in over 250 games in the BBL and amassed 3,000+ points in nine seasons with his most successful campaign coming in the 2010-11 season as part of Mersey Tigers’ treble-winning squad.

Aliu admits he is unsure of any future role in the sport in the near-future as he becomes the third BBL great to bring their careers to an end.

Leicester Riders duo Barry Lamble and Anthony Rowe have also called time on their careers this year.

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