MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Minnesota Timberwolves forward Tom Hammonds announced his retirement Monday after 12 injury-plagued seasons in the NBA.
Hammonds had not played in 2001-02. Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale made the announcement Monday evening, saying the move was "in the interest of both parties," then waived him.
The 34-year-old Hammonds has been suffering from constant inflammation in his ankles. The condition, known as bilateral synovitis, limited him to only seven games last season.
Hammonds played parts of four seasons with the Timberwolves-- his fourth NBA team. He averaged 5.3 points in 687 NBA games, also playing for Washington, Charlotte and Denver.
Hammonds had his best season in 1991-92, averaging 11.9 points. Typically, it was in abbreviated action as he played only 37 games. He missed more than 150 games with Minnesota and played a full season just once in 12 years.
