Former NBA big man LaMarcus Aldridge shocked the basketball community in April 2021 when he suddenly announced that he's walking away from the sport as a player for good. A health scare that had his heart beating irregularly during a Brooklyn Nets game against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 10 ultimately led to his decision to retire at the age of 35.

We haven't heard much from Aldridge since, but a lengthy piece by Shams Charania of The Athletic revealed that the 15-year NBA veteran is not taking his abrupt departure from the sport he dedicated so much to for the most part of his life well.

“I’ve been depressed, and I’m trying to figure out how to navigate through not competing on the floor, learning not to be depressed,” Aldridge said. “I still love basketball. I still feel like I have a lot to give. But even now, I’m still trying to find myself. When you go from doing something you love for so long and you lose it overnight, it’s a shock.”

LaMarcus Aldridge parted ways with the San Antonio Spurs in March 2020 after reaching a buyout deal. Days later he decided to take his talents to Brooklyn, thinking that being with the superstar-laden Nets would give him a great chance at winning an NBA ring while also still being a serviceable big.

“I felt if I stayed with the group, we definitely could get to the Finals and do something special. Those guys rooted for me just as much as I rooted for them. That’s what makes the game fun; when you have a bunch of guys with no egos and everyone’s cheering for each other to do well.”

LaMarcus Aldridge played a total of 1,029 games across his career in the NBA and averaged 19.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists.