By April Fisher/ info@eurohoops.net
A highly recognizable sound of a particularly famous whistle will be heard no more. Luigi Lamonica, one of the most acclaimed referees in basketball history, has announced his retirement.
“I’m announcing that I decided to retire from being a referee. It has been a good run, filled with exciting moments, and I’m grateful for all the experiences I lived by doing what I love best: Calling the shots in a basketball game. I want to thank all the players and coaches whose games I’ve officiated for an excellent and fruitful cooperation. It has been fun”, was the simple yet emotionally powerful announcement.
“He just got tired of officiating,” a source close to Lamonica exclusively told Eurohoops. “He says that maybe he’ll take up boxing. He has taken an interest to it after all these offensive fouls he has called in his career.”
When asked if there is any chance for the Italian referee to change his mind, the same source answered, “Not really. He’s been thinking of it for some time and made up his mind for good after recent events in Madrid and the game between Real and Barcelona“.
Sources didn’t indicate exactly what they meant and didn’t want to go into detail. But they emphasized on the fact that said events played a huge part in Lamonica’s decision.
Born in 1965, Luigi Lamonica has been a referee since 1980. He has officiated in numerous big competitions including Eurobasket tournaments, Olympic Games and EuroLeague Final Four matches.
UPDATE: Happy April’s fool day.