http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/hoiberg_060417.html


Fred Hoiberg Announces Retirement from NBA

April 17, 2006

Former Guard Joins Timberwolves Front Office

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced that Fred Hoiberg has retired from the NBA and will join the team's front office staff. Hoiberg's title is undetermined to date, however he will have duties and responsibilities relating to both the Timberwolves' basketball department and business operations. The 33-year-old underwent successful heart surgery on June 28, 2005 to correct an enlarged aortic root and did not play during the 2005-06 campaign.

"All of you are aware of the journey I've taken this past year and I just want to relay to all of the people that sent along their prayers and well wishes, my heartfelt thanks," Hoiberg said. "It was truly overwhelming to me and my family the outpouring that we received from the Twin Cities community and from across the Midwest.

"It is a difficult decision for any athlete to make, but after the rehabbing, consulting with physicians and most importantly talking with my family, I have come to the conclusion to retire from basketball. Every player feels as though they could play a few more years, however I don't feel like that's the best course of action for me and my family."

In 10 NBA seasons with Indiana (1995-96 - 1998-99) Chicago (1999-2000 - 2002-03) and Minnesota (2003-04 and 2004-05), Hoiberg tallied 5.4 points (.431 FG%, .854 FT%, .396 3FG%), 2.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 18.4 minutes per game in 541 contests (61 started). The Iowa State University product was originally selected in the second round by the Pacers with the 52nd overall pick of the 1995 NBA Draft. The native of Ames, Iowa, posted career-highs of 9.1 points (.438 FG%, .866 FT%, .412 3FG%), 4.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 30.4 minutes per game in 74 contests for the Bulls during the 2000-01 campaign.

"We have gotten to know Fred very well over the past few years both as a basketball player and as a person," said Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor. "When Fred relayed to us his decision to retire we didn't waste a minute in asking him to join our front office staff. Fred is an intelligent individual with a great work ethic. We will use his many talents on both the basketball and business sides of the team"

"Obviously, this was a very tough decision for Fred to make," said Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale. "It's never easy to hang up the sneakers, but we all know that it was a decision that was made in the best interest of his family. Fred is ready to come in and tackle some new challenges."

In his second season with the Timberwolves in 2004-05, Hoiberg posted averages of 5.8 points (.489 FG%), 2.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 16.7 minutes per game in 76 contests. Hoiberg led the NBA and set a new club record in three-point field goal percentage with 48.3% (70-for-145) from beyond the arc. Originally signed as a free agent by Minnesota on July 28, 2003, Hoiberg re-signed to a multi-year contract with the Wolves on July 23, 2004.

"We want to congratulate Fred on a tremendous basketball career," said Timberwolves president Chris Wright. "Fred is going to be an outstanding asset to this organization whether it be working with the basketball staff, or using his business skill set to help us on the corporate end of things."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2412118


Jazz's Ostertag, 'out of gas,' says he will retire

Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO -- Utah center Greg Ostertag said Monday night he will retire after the season.

"I've run out of gas," Ostertag said after the Jazz's 115-82 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, who has played 11 seasons in the NBA. "I'm tired of being on the road. I just don't have it."

Ostertag, who has been in the NBA for 11 years, played in 59 games this season. He had a disagreement with Utah coach Jerry Sloan earlier this year and was suspended one game without pay for conduct detrimental to the team on Jan. 28.

He hasn't played in four of the past five games. He's averaging 13.6 minutes per game.

"I'm not a guy who can sit on the bench and collect a paycheck," Ostertag said. "I realized if I couldn't play for this team, there aren't many I can play for."

Utah is 40-41 with one game remaining this season. The Jazz were eliminated from playoff contention Sunday in a loss to Dallas.

Guess this assures that Flip can't push JoeD to sign Hoiberg in the offseason.

Ostertag ran out of gas on draft day.

Ostertag mailed it in before draft day. About the only thing he showed for basketball "skills" was that he was really big and could clog the lane when he wasn't being a doofus. As late first round picks go, he did quite well. If you get a late first rounder doing 5 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 bpg in 20 mpg for 10 seasons, and didn't overpay him too badly relative to the market, you're doing ok.