Basketball fans have witnessed the retirement of several dominating players in NBA history. However, the post-retirement lives of many players remain hidden. Their struggles after hanging up their jerseys are unknown to their fans. Recently, former NBA player Jeff Teague shared the truth about the hidden struggles of NBA players after retirement.
Teague, who recently shared details about LeBron James’ warning to the Hawks in 2015, played 12 seasons in the NBA for five different teams between 2009 and 2021. The Atlanta Hawks selected him in the 2009 NBA draft, and he played seven seasons with them. During a recent appearance on the ‘Club 520’ podcast, the 2015 NBA All-Star explained life before and after the NBA.
“You have a strong mental to play in the NBA. Because you got to think you’re risking your whole life, kind of. Like, because you get put in this bubble where you’re making so much money, but you really don’t know how to do anything else. Because your whole focus is being a basketball player.” Teague said.
“So once they take basketball away from you, or if you don’t make it, no matter whether you play, try to make it to the league a couple years, you fall, did the G League, went overseas, you do this whole journey for 10, 12 years and then when it’s over, it’s like, oh what the f**k I do next,” Teague added.
Teague didn’t achieve much until his last NBA season, when he signed with the Milwaukee Bucks on April 1, 2021. The 2015 NBA All-Star reunited with his former coach from Atlanta, Mike Budenholzer.
Jeff Teague Discusses The Lack Of Guidance For Athletes Post-Retirement
Teague played in 21 regular-season games for the Bucks, averaging 6.6 points, 2.8 assists, and 1.5 rebounds in 15.9 minutes per game. The former NBA player earned his first NBA championship with the Bucks before retiring. Further in the Interview, he explained that many players don’t know what to do after retirement despite earning millions of dollars in their careers.
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“Like if you was like a guy that was making for 10 years you played and you made three or four million. To the normal world it’s like, yeah you good, start your life, you got a cool life, but you don’t really know what else to do after that,” Teague said.
Teague currently holds the position of head coach at Pike High School, which is located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Interestingly, this is the very same school from which he graduated.
Also Read: Jeff Teague Says Veteran NBA Skills Coach “Ruined” His Reputation By Training Ben Simmons
