The Cleveland Cavaliers won the championship against all odds, and with that, Richard Jefferson is riding off into the sunset.
Immediately following the Cavs’ game seven win against the Golden State Warriors, R.J. told Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun that he is stepping away from basketball:
Richard Jefferson says he's retiring. "Hell of a way to go out."
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) June 20, 2016
Jefferson retirement announcement came out of the blue during interview while he was drinking Moët. I confirmed "for real, you're done?"
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) June 20, 2016
Hell of a way to go out, indeed.
Like the Cavs team as a whole, Jefferson’s season was an unexpected one. The forward contributed much more than what was thought possible and was shockingly instrumental to the Cavaliers winning the first title in franchise history.
Jefferson finishes his career after fifteen seasons of high-level play. The 13th overall pick in the 2001 draft, R.J. had career averages of 13.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.
Jefferson helped lead the New Jersey Nets to two Finals but his final season in the league was the one that yielded the ultimate reward: a championship ring.
Richard Jefferson can now celebrate with his teammates after stepping away from the game a champion.
