The story of former NBA player and three time All Star Brandon Roy was one full of promise, promise that would swiftly be ripped away after long term deterioration of his knees.
In his first season of his NBA career, he earned the league’s Rookie of the Year award in 2007. During that season he was averaging 16.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.2 steals per contest. He was outshining LaMarcus Aldridge, as Aldridge only played an average of about 22 minutes a game to Roy’s nearly 36.
In his second season, Roy earned his first All Star selection with averages of 19.1 points and career-highs of 5.8 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game.
It was clear he knew the game of basketball.
Roy averaged a career-high 22.6 points to go with 5.1 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per contest in his third season. He also helped lead the Trail Blazers in 2009 to their first playoff appearance in six years. He was again an All Star and earned Second Team All-NBA status that year. That was also the last time in his career he’d play more than 65 games in a season.
Before the 2009-10 season, Roy agreed to a max deal with the Blazers. Portland was unable to predict the unintentional plunder.
In 2009-2010, Roy’s lingering smaller injury issues were beginning to worsen. In April of 2010, Roy bruised a bone in his right knee and had a slight tear in his meniscus that required surgery. He would miss the rest of the regular season, and the start of the postseason.
The following season, Roy had to undergo arthroscopic surgery on both of his knees. He was out for almost half the season due to lingering knee injuries and had, at the time, his worst season of his career.
Right before camps opened the following the infamous NBA lockout of 2011, Roy announced his retirement from basketball.
In his statement Roy said it was a “very difficult and painful day.” He went on to say that the decision was made because his “family and health are most important to him,” before concluding with, “It was a great ride.”
This was not his final retirement though, as in 2012 he announced he felt ready to return to the NBA. He was signed by the Timberwolves, but played just 5 games for them before he required season-ending surgery on, yet again, his right knee.
While his playing days were behind him, what was a guy who’d spent years of his life playing basketball, and playing it well, supposed to do? For so long he’d been a student of the game, maybe it was time to pass on some of that knowledge.
Brandon Roy became a high school coach for Nathan Hale in 2016. His knowledge of the game paid off for Nathan Hale, as Roy coached the team to an undefeated 29-0 record, nationally ranked number one.
As a result of Nathan Hale’s success, Roy was named Naismith National High School Coach of the Year.
So while Roy’s career may not have panned out quite the way he wanted, he has gotten his redemption.
With how hot of a start his coaching career is off to, it might not be too farfetched to imagine him becoming an NBA coach someday.
