By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Calling it a career after 16 years full of emotions, victories, and events in Europe, Kyle Hines officially retired from basketball.
The 38-year-old American center, who moved overseas in 2008 and never played in the NBA, will go down as one of the best-ever players who established his legacy in European basketball.
“I could have never imagined that basketball would have taken me this far. My journey has been nothing short but amazing. 16 years of living my dreams of playing professional basketball. As I start the next chapter, I look forward to starting a new adventure with you all”, he emotionally said in a post.
It all started in 2008 with coach Andrea Trinchieri in Veroli, which gave him the opportunity to start a new chapter of his life after going undrafted in 2008. Those two years in the Italian second division laid the foundations of his eventful future.
One single season (2010-11) with Brose Bamberg came up next, and what a season it was: he won the domestic treble (Bundesliga, German Cup, and German Supercup), being also named BBL Finals MVP and BBL All-Star Game MVP. The call from a EuroLeague powerhouse was only consequential.
With Olympiacos, he rapidly became one of the best centers in Europe, cementing his defensive legacy by protecting the red-and-white Greek rim to win the EuroLeague in both 2012 and 2013. Alongside Vassilis Spanoulis and Georgios Printezis, he also won the 2011-12 Greek League.
Years in CSKA Moscow followed, where his resume grew significantly. There, he won six consecutive VTB Leagues from 2013 to 2019, and added two EuroLeague titles to his cabinet, in 2015-16 and 2018-19. He was also named EuroLeague Best Defender in 2015-16, 2017-18, and 2021-22.
Leaving Russia in 2020, he wrote the last chapter of his 16-year career with four seasons in Milano under head coach Ettore Messina. In Italy, he won the Italian championships in three consecutive years (2022, 2023, and 2024), while also going only one win away from the EuroLeague Final in 2021.
He said goodbye to the Italian powerhouse with sweet words. “Milano, I guess the time is now. As the new season starts, it’s time for us to end our chapter together. Thank you for the past four years we have spent together. You have made me and my family feel at home from the beginning. It’s hard for me to put into words what you all mean to me and the gratitude I have for everyone there”, he shared.
“To my teammates, a hell of a ride we had together. We are forever bonded no matter what! Even though this chapter is closing, I’m sure there will be an opportunity in the future to start another chapter in Milano. No matter what Milano will always be in my heart”, he added.
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PHOTO CREDIT: Turkish Airlines EuroLeague