Channing Frye‘s NBA career can best be described as that of a journeyman, and that journey has taken him to six different teams over the course of 13 seasons, one of which as a member of perhaps the greatest comeback in NBA history when the Cleveland Cavaliers overcame a 3-1 deficit to beat the Golden State Warriors for the 2016 title.
The Knicks drafted Frye No. 8 overall in 2005, and the skinny 6’11 forward came into the league as more of a traditional big man before establishing himself as a sharp-shooting stretch four during his stint with the Phoenix Suns, which marked his most productive years as an NBA player.
Now, it appears Frye is ready to hang up his sneakers. After the Cavs’ win over the Knicks on Thursday night, Frye took to Instagram to tell fans that it would be his final game at Madison Square Garden, hinting that he will retire at the end of the season.
A few hours later, Frye confirmed on his Twitter account that he is, indeed, calling it a career.
Yes, i am really retiring. It’s been a amazing ride. I’ve had the chance to have some amazing teammates and play for some great coaches. I’m gonna miss it but I’m super excited to see the other side of the fence!
— Channing Frye (@channingfrye) March 1, 2019
Frye’s life and career nearly took a turn for the worst back in 2012 when he was diagnosed with an enlarged heart, and it was unclear whether he’d ever return to the court. He was forced to sit out that entire season, but he eventually was able to resume his career for multiple seasons after that health scare.
Frye has always been respected around the league and well-liked among his teammates. He perhaps doesn’t get enough credit as an early progenitor of the stretch-four position during the league’s three-point revolution, but regardless, he’ll end his career with hardware to show for it as a contributing member of that magical Cavs team in 2016.
