Australian basketball legend David Andersen is typically modest when he says he "squeezed his basketball career for all it was worth".
Beginning with the Wollongong Hawks in 1998 and ending on the championship-winning Melbourne United squad in 2021, Andersen announces his retirement with a resume that must be seen to be believed.
Twenty-three years. 22 championships/cups. Four Olympic campaigns. Andersen's career is a story of skill, resilience, and hard work.
"There's been a lot of moments along my career where I thought 'oh, s--- this could be the end' and you get overwhelmed by that," Andersen tells ESPN. "I kept fighting though, I'm a very resilient person."
He doesn't shy away from his love for the game, with the passion to stay on the floor extending his career in recent years as he now comes to terms with the next phase of his life.
"It is sad in some respects, but exciting in others because you move into a different world. Other things become more important. I've been talking to many of my peers and teammates along the way. They've given me some guidance.
"You have to hang them up some day and I've been fortunate enough to get many, many years and many great experiences out of the game."
The 41-year-old describes his second NBL championship with United as the "cherry on top" of a glittering career, though he does list an NBA championship and Olympic medal as the rare accolades that escaped his grasp.
Like many of the Boomers that helped pave the way for the historic Bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, an emotional Andersen watched on with pride as Patty Mills led the squad to the podium.
"It was very emotional. That moment when we were up by a certain amount, it was amazing," Andersen said.
"I do feel like we did lay the foundation for it. Rewind all the way back to playing New Zealand in 2003 and people thought we would lose and miss the Olympics. We were washing clothes in bathtubs on tours around Italy and now the professionalism is next level.
"It's great and it's reflected in the results and the culture. Playing for the Boomers was 12 guys coming together, not to earn money, they're there for the love of the game. It's a testament to people's willingness to wear the green and gold for their country and I was one of those guys."
In a coup for the NBL, Andersen is set to sink his teeth into the admin side of the game as a player liaison officer role.
"I spoke with Larry (Kestelman) and Jeremy (Loeliger) at length to see what they were thinking. They always approached me to give them a call when I was thinking about hanging them up and see if there is a role," he said.
"They have a high-powered commercial team behind them, and business minded people and wanted a player's point of view. They can lean on me for advice for how players react and what we can do to grow the sport further. I'm going to learn a lot and find my way in the admin side of the game and still be involved in the sport and promoting it using my networks and people skills to keep it moving in the right direction."
In addition to his role with the NBL, Andersen is looking forward to escaping the endless pressures that come with being a professional athlete for the first time in over 20 years.
"I've got plenty of things to keep me entertained and it's family time," he said. "I've got three kids that are quite youthful. I have a farm business that I'm trying to learn and manage. I'm learning a lot and then I'll have this role with the NBL.
"Things will evolve. I'm not putting myself under too much pressure. Everyone asks whether you want to be a coach and I feel like I could help in that sense but as for now I don't want to dive into that full time because it's quite demanding. It's more about balancing life out and giving back to my family and the game.
"It's a balancing act and I'm learning the ropes because when you're a basketball player it's quite selfish and you have your routines but now it kind of changes. You have to let go of certain things and be flexible and evolve. There's plenty of doors to open and I'll take it one step at a time."
Andersen retires as one of Australia's most decorated players, with those 22 titles won across Australia, Italy, Spain, Russia, Turkey and France.
"It's a good list. I was worried I had my numbers wrong," he laughs.
"I've won many titles; it's been a hell of a career. I never would have thought I would go on to do this thing. It's been a great time; I squeezed the lemon for all it was worth."