East Lansing, MI – Calling it the hardest decision he's ever had to make, Michigan State senior Delvon Roe has decided not to play basketball this season because of degenerative knee pain.
The forward started 73 of the 109 games he played for the Spartans, but said in a statement that playing through pain has taken its toll.
"I started playing basketball because I loved the game, but the pain has taken that away and forced me to always think about just getting through the next few minutes or the next game," Roe said. "I don't want to just 'get through' anymore. I've played on a leg and a half for most of my career, and that's not fair to my teammates as they go through the daily grind."
Roe said he has no regrets about his career at Michigan State and is thrilled to have been a part of back-to-back Big Ten championships and Final Four appearances.
Spartans head coach Tom Izzo said he never had someone play through more pain than Roe.
"I feel bad for Delvon, because I know how much basketball means to him," Izzo said in a statement. "It's a shame that most Spartans never got to see the player I recruited. And yet he found a way to contribute and be a valuable part of two Final Fours and Big Ten Championships just by his will and desire."
Roe remains on scholarship and is scheduled to graduate in May, the school said.
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