Ryan DeMichael is a 35 year old 205cm power forward/center that recently announced his retirement. He played at Tenn.-Martin(NCAA). He turned professional in 1999 and played for Pussihukat Vantaa (Finland). He then came to Germany for his first stint playing with SG Sechtem until 2002. He then played for AB Contern (Luxembourg-N1) until 2004. He then returned to Germany in 2004 and played the next eights easons here. He played in the Beko BBL from 2005-2008 for Nurnberg and Tuebingen. He laso played for teams like Jena, Kirchheim and Lich. He played the last two seasons for NBC. Last season he played  28 games: 11.5ppg, 6.5rpg, 2.4apg, Blocks-2(1.4bpg), FGP: 51.8%, 3PT: 32.6%, FT: 69.6%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball and retiring.

Recently you announced your retirement from professional basketball. You did this in the middle of the season with NBC. What were the main reasons for doing this?

It was time for me to get out. I am 35 and I looked in the mirror and knew it was time to get serious with my life. To start working a normal 9 to 5 job, and to be home with my family. Working during the day, practicing at night, spending my weekends on the road and/or practicing are not something that I could afford to do anymore. I have a new daughter, building a new home, and will be getting married in the summer. My life was heading away from sport. Plus, I was heading for a burn out and because of this my health was starting to suffer.

How difficult was it making this decision hanging up the sneakers?

 The decision was very easy after my consultation with my doctor. I want to be healthy and enjoy my life after sport!

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