BROOKSVILLE- Arguably the greatest boys basketball player to ever come out of Central High School announced his retirement from the game of professional basketball.
Former Bears’ Shooting Guard Alex Ruoff announced via Twitter that he would be ending his basketball playing career. Ruoff has been playing overseas ever since he ended his playing days at West Virginia under Bob Huggins back in 2009.
Ruoff is the all-time leader in 3-point shots for the Mountaineers, and he will now be joining West Virginia’s staff as a grad assistant. While at Central, Ruoff was nominated to be a McDonald’s All-American and started all four years on varsity. Down below is Ruoff’s announcement he made on him ending his playing career after playing professionally since 2009 after college.
“How about that ride in? 17 years ago, I stepped on West Virginia’s campus to achieve a childhood dream of playing college basketball. Immediately following graduation, I boarded a plane to Europe and never looked back. The past 13 years have been a wild adventure I could have never imagined living out as a young boy. I look back at my career, all the life experiences and relationships the game has given me with a level of gratefulness difficult to describe with words. I find myself fighting tears… when I think of all the people God placed in my life who helped me along this journey. From a middle school coach taking a troubled kid under his wing, to a high school coach becoming the closest thing I ever had to a father. My mother, with the help of two wonderful grandparents, raising, sacrificing for the three of us all while battling MS behind the scenes. Coach Beilein, taking a chance on me, bringing me to the state I now call home. Bob Huggins, not only taking my game to the next level, but instilling in me a toughness, sense of pride I carried with me all throughout my career and still do to this day. A whole basketball family at WVU over the years. All the coaches, trainers, teammates, and managers supporting me every step of the way. Andy Kettler being so much more than a strength coach. They were behind the work ethic, the drive, and the sole reason any accomplishments were
achieved. I am stepping away from the game knowing in my heart I made them proud, which is more than enough for me. To all my friends, teammates, fans, clubs overseas who
gave me a decade plus full of memories I will cherish for a lifetime, thank you dearly! BG Gottingen, Gottingen friends and supporters, Y’all were special! It sure was an honor to wear the violet for as long as I did. If it all wasn’t enough, God brought it full circle by allowing me to take the court for the last time as a professional in front of my family wearing the Gold & Blue representing this great state. Damn good ending if you ask me. I am walking away healthy, grateful beyond measure, and giving God all the glory! Very excited for what He has in store for me next.” – Alex Ruoff
Andy Villamarzo can be reached at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.
