Former Sun, Wildcat Channing Frye announces retirement

On Friday, former Suns and Arizona basketball player Channing Frye announced his retirement from the NBA at season’s end.

Frye officially announced the news on Twitter Friday afternoon, where he talked being excited for his life post-basketball.

Yes, i am really retiring. It’s been a amazing ride. I’ve had the chance to have some amazing teammates and play for some great coaches. I’m gonna miss it but I’m super excited to see the other side of the fence!

— Channing Frye (@Channing_Frye) March 1, 2019

Frye hinted at this decision Friday morning on Instagram, when he posted a picture of his introduction in New York after being drafted eighth overall by them in 2005. His Cavaliers played the Knicks on Thursday night, and in the post, he wrote that this game would be his last time playing in Madison Square Garden.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Playing at MSG for the last time last night, had me thinking of how fast time has flown by. @dlee042 @naterobinson

A post shared by Channing Frye (@channingfrye) on Mar 1, 2019 at 6:07am PST

Frye made his plans even clearer in the comments of his post, as he responded to a plea not to retire by former teammate Jeff Green by saying “it’s time bro!”

Here’s Frye confirming his planned retirement to Jeff Green (you can see former Cav Isaiah Thomas weigh in, too). Frye is one of four current Cavs who were here for 2016 championship pic.twitter.com/MKC3aWzLvN

— Joe Vardon (@joevardon) March 1, 2019

Frye’s roots in Arizona run deep, as he first made a name for himself as a standout for St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Phoenix. He then went on to play at Arizona, where he earned two first-team All-Pac-10 honors during his four-year career there.

Frye’s career brought him back to Arizona in 2009, when he signed with the Suns as a free agent. Frye played four seasons with the Suns (he was with the team for five years, but missed the entire 2012-13 season due to an enlarged heart) and averaged 11.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per game over that span.

If this season really is it for Frye, his last game in Phoenix will be on April 1, when the Cavaliers visit the Suns for the first and only time this season.