An Inspiring Farewell: Pledger "Hangs up the Boots"

Former New Zealand and Melbourne big Alex Pledger has announced his intention to retire from basketball, following the culmination of the current NZNBL season. It caps a successful return to the court following his recovery from cancer.

The four-time NBL champion was initially forced out of the game in March of 2021 when it was discovered he had contracted colorectal cancer, but made his return two months ago with the Southland Sharks of the NZNBL.

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Pledger has so far up for seven games with the Sharks on his return. He would back the clock against the Otago Nuggets in June with a 10-point, three-rebound, two-assist, one-block and one-steal performance in 17 minutes of action.

“While I’m not quite finished yet I’ve decided to make this season my last,” Pledger wrote on social media.

“I gave it 14 years and after a few broken bones, a few more rolled ankles, a million bumps and bruises and one cancer diagnosis, it feels like the right time to hang up the boots.

“There are way too many people to thank, but to everyone who has supported me, followed my journey, coached me, played alongside and against me or offered an encouraging word, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.”

He will leave the game as a four-time NBL champion with the Breakers, a two-time NZNBL champion with the Auckland Pirates and Southland Sharks, an NZNBL MVP award winner and a Commonwealth Games bronze medallist.

Pledger played 237 total games for the Breakers across nine seasons, before appearing in 50 games for Melbourne United.