Rychart realistic about retirement
DUSTY Rychart has hinted this season could be his last, with the NBL journeyman conceding a series of injuries have got the better of him.
The Taipans forward, who has played for five NBL clubs since debuting in 2002, had what was thought to be a bruised shin changed to a hairline fracture last week.
A string of minor injuries have meant he has missed 21 of the Taipans' past 45 games and is set to be out of action for at least another month following the latest setback.
On a single-year contract and averaging nothing like his career numbers, Rychart, 34, said his 304-game career was nearing its final stop.
"The writing's on the wall," the Minnesota product said.
"Injuries, low minutes and low numbers and sitting on the end of the bench.
"I'm not throwing in the towel yet, I'm just being realistic."
A self-taught stock trader, Rychart would probably move back to Brisbane and continue online trading after basketball.
"It's not like I'm a young guy with years ahead of me. I have played 12 pro seasons and I am looking forward to my next chapter."
The shin injury, which came from an innocuous fall at training, followed finger tendon damage earlier this season and a foot problem that plagued him last season.
Such is the state of his damaged body at the moment, his only modes of exercise are swimming and rowing.
"I never really had injuries growing up, but I'd like to know who I've crossed along the way. It's freak accident after freak accident lately," he said.
The naturalised Australian is averaging fewer than four points and two rebounds in 10 appearances this season, but boasts career numbers of more than 15 and two.
In 2005, he had a 44-point game for the Adelaide 36ers, and was integral when the Bullets won a championship the following season.
Since joining the Taipans he has been invaluable off the bench, grabbing the tough boards and chiming in with vital points.
"I think with injuries and having a deep rotation of bigs it is what it is and I'm sitting towards the end of the bench," he said.
"That's to be expected. I just wish we were winning more."
That wish was granted on Friday when the Taipans sprinted home in an entertaining defeat of Melbourne.
"We've been trying too hard, playing uptight. But you could see the guys having fun and playing loose," he said.
"It's funny, the bottom six are so close that we're still in the hunt for finals when usually with our record we'd be planning our holidays.
"With that in mind, I'm not locking in (any retirement plans yet), a lot can still happen for us this season."
NEW CAIRNS.COM.AU COMMENT POLICY
We welcome your comments on this story. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the
condition that they may be edited. Comments submitted without a full name and suburb/location will
not be considered for publication. Please read our full comment policy and publication guidelines.
Share this article
Contemplative: The injured Dusty Rychart says this season may be his last.
