{"id":79740,"date":"2025-08-19T11:04:10","date_gmt":"2025-08-19T11:04:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/79740\/"},"modified":"2025-08-19T11:04:10","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T11:04:10","slug":"aussie-dual-sporting-legend-erin-phillips-pens-emotional-farewell-after-retiring-from-basketball","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/79740\/","title":{"rendered":"Aussie dual sporting legend Erin Phillips pens emotional farewell after retiring from basketball"},"content":{"rendered":"

Australian dual sport<\/a> legend Erin Phillips has penned an emotional message after playing the final game of her glittering career.<\/p>\n

Phillips, who is a champion basketballer<\/a> and AFLW<\/a> legend, bid farewell to her first sport after leading Woodville to premiership glory in the NBL1\u2019s central conference on the weekend.<\/p>\n

The 40-year-old has won it all in both sports, but will officially put her feet up now for good.<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today \"Download<\/a><\/p>\n

Phillips said it was a \u201csurreal\u201d feeling.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne day you wake up and it\u2019s all over,\u201d she wrote on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cA huge part of my life as an athlete has come to an end. Even when you know it\u2019s coming, it feels surreal to close such a significant chapter of your story.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy knees ache as I write this \u2014 a reminder of the countless kilometres I\u2019ve run on hardwood courts across the world. But even through the pain, I feel nothing but gratitude. These knees carried me further than I ever dreamed possible, and they\u2019ve held me up far more times than they\u2019ve let me down.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m grateful for basketball \u2014 for the gift of this game, the places it has taken me, and the lessons it has taught me. From the Olympics, to the WNBA, to EuroLeague, and every game in between, the journey has been more than I ever imagined as a kid with a ball and a dream.<\/p>\n

\u201cI still remember a coach once telling me I\u2019d only ever be good enough for the WNBL. I chose not to believe him. His doubt became fuel, and that fire has never gone out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"PhillipsPhillips bowed out in style. Credit: Instagram<\/p>\n

Philllips began her basketball career in 2002 when as a teenager she made her WNBL debut for the Adelaide Lightning.<\/p>\n

She was drafted to the Connecticut Sun in 2005 in the WNBA and went on to win two championships with the Indiana Fever (2012) and Phoenix Mercury (2014) and playing for five teams across nine years.<\/p>\n

Phillips also solidified her spot in the national team and was a member of the Opals team that won silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and gold in the 2006 world championships.<\/p>\n

She also spent time playing in Europe, winning three titles in Poland.<\/p>\n

But for all her accolades in basketball, Phillips was most grateful for meeting her wife, Tracy.<\/p>\n

Head to 7plus to watch Erin Phillips on Unfiltered<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost of all, I\u2019m grateful that basketball introduced me to the love of my life, Tracy. Sometimes the game gives you more than wins and losses\u2014it gives you the people who change your life forever,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd to everyone who has been part of this journey \u2014 my teammates, coaches, family, and friends\u2014thank you.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was never a solo ride. Every step, every victory, every setback was carried on the strength of your support, belief, and love. You helped me chase dreams that once felt impossible, and together, we made them real.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd so, thank you to the Woodville Warriors for being my final chapter. I couldn\u2019t be prouder that it ends here, surrounded by community, love, and the game that gave me everything.<\/p>\n

\u201c13 Out! \u270c\ud83c\udffc\ud83e\udef6\ud83c\udffb\u201d<\/p>\n

While Phillips began and finished her sporting career in basketball, she also spent seven years in the AFLW.<\/p>\n

She dominated the sport, winning three premierships, two league best and fairests and two AFLW grand final best on ground medals, among a host of other individual accolades.<\/p>\n

Phillips was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame this year.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Erin Phillips shares heartbreaking details of \u2018awful\u2019 family tragedy<\/p>\n

3 min read<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Aussie legend opens up on Olympics heartbreak: \u2018Still affects me\u2019<\/p>\n

2 min read<\/p>\n

<\/a>