Strange???

[Huskerpapa]

...but then again, given his history, perhaps not so strange.  Walter has retired.

 

http://www.raptorsrepublic.com/2015/12/26/raptors-905-waive-nick-wiggins-walter-pitchford-retires/

 

They also announced that center Walter Pitchford has retired.  The 23-year-old Grand Rapids native has spent most of the season on the inactive list after landing with the 905 as an open tryout success story. Pitchford played in just five games for the 905, averaging 2.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 14.2 minutes. The 6-foot-10 would-be floor-spacer spent a year at Florida and two at Nebraska before turning pro, averaging seven points and four rebounds while shooting 42.3 percent from the field and 34.3 percent on threes over those three seasons.

 

Retirement at such an early age is surprising, especially since there’s no underlying injury – he missed four games with an ankle sprain earlier in the year but was active recently, just not used.

[HuskerFever]

Can you be too surprised? He also said he was going to stay at UNL and finish school too.

[Silverbacked1]

I think we are finding that Walt may have had/have some problems. Too bad, maybe everything will work out for him.

[ajb5856]

Can you be too surprised? He also said he was going to stay at UNL and finish school too.

Not too surprised that he's done just surprised that he has 'retired' and that he used that term. 23 year olds who haven't had a career don't retire, they just wash out after not being able to make it. Certainly weird.

[huskerbaseball13]

The Grand Rapids "scenery" was probably not up to par.

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[basketballjones]

I think we are finding that Walt may have had/have some problems. Too bad, maybe everything will work out for him.

Kinda sad...

[jimmykc]

i sincerely hope it wasn't due to the pressure from "The Year of the Walter".

[HB]

i sincerely hope it wasn't due to the pressure from "The Year of the Walter".

 

Jimmy, have you ever heard of the "Sports Illustrated Jinx"?  

[hhcmatt]

Given his history, I'd suspect that he comes out of retirement in 2016.

Also, this sort of indicates the answer to the question: "Would we be better this year with WP on this team?"

[HuskerFever]

I wonder how his sponsors feel about this...

[MitchMcGaryMunchies]

The Grand Rapids "scenery" was probably not up to par.

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Wha?  He wasn't playing in Grand Rapids, he's from Grand Rapids.  That's in the United States.  He was playing in Mississauga, Ontario…basically, suburban Toronto.  That's Canada.  But to your credit, with one post you've managed to convey your ignorance about a former Husker player and the city of Grand Rapids.  GR is actually pretty fun.  Founders Brewing Co. is one of the best in the country.

[MitchMcGaryMunchies]

And just so you guys know, players in the Development League don't make shit.  I think they have three tiers for salaries, the lowest being somewhere around $15,000 and the highest being around $25,000.  That's for the ENTIRE SEASON.  And it's a 50-game season, soooo...

 

Obviously, it does allow the players to get some increased exposure.  More and more players get called-up every year, and a 10-day NBA contract pays more than an entire season in the D League does.  But when you compare it to playing overseas, where you usually play less games/shorter season, have shorter distances to travel, and contracts usually start around six figures -- usually tax-free -- and the team typically supplies you with lodging, a car, etc., the D League just doesn't make sense for some guys.  Or rather, it makes "cents"

[PimpMario]

When Walter got here he bragged about being an NBA star because he was going to be highly drafted.

Sad thing is we could have really just used a solid college player with his head in the game.

Kid definitely had potential.