HEAT INDEX

Arizona Wildcats' Ray Smith announces retirement after third ACL injury

Jeremy Cluff
azcentral sports
The Arizona Wildcats' Ray Smith says he is done playing  basketball.

After the University of Arizona announced that Ray Smith suffered a knee injury and would miss the 2016-17 season on Thursday, the forward made an announcement.

Smith tweeted a long message thanking people for their support and announced that he had "decided to step away from the game of basketball for good."

Smith injured the ACL in his right knee as well as other ligament and meniscal damage in Tuesday’s 86-35 exhibition win over the College of Idaho

Arizona announced in a release that Smith would have surgery in the upcoming month and begin the rehabilitation process.

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In Smith's tweet, he said that he would still be involved with the team and that he would still attend Arizona.

He wrote: "My father once told me that just because someone is a good basketball player doesn't make them a good person. That the sport doesn't define who we are only what we can do."

He added: "Pretty much what I'm saying is thank you BASKETBALL you've been GREAT!"

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UA coach Sean Miller issued this statement:

“About a year ago, I began my statement regarding Ray Smith’s season-ending injury by saying, 'Ray Smith is one of the most talented young players that has ever entered our program.' Unfortunately, I begin this year’s statement by reiterating the special talent that Ray has on the basketball court and once again addressing a season-ending knee injury.

"In the 25 years I have been a college basketball coach, I have never felt as helpless as I did when I saw him go down on Tuesday night. No 19-year-old kid should have to experience three season-ending injuries in a 30-month period of time. I have watched Ray work with our strength and conditioning coach tirelessly for two years. I have seen him in our training room around the clock, doing everything he can to play the game he loves. To witness his extraordinary efforts and see this happen to him once again is beyond disheartening.

"Ray is surrounded by a community that loves Arizona Basketball, current and former teammates that look at him as a brother, and a coaching staff and family that is beyond supportive and forever with him. Although the mountain that Ray is climbing continues to change, my belief in him to be a resounding success in life has never been stronger. His intelligence, charisma and sheer will position him to be special in all that he does. I certainly look forward to helping him, as part of our basketball family, reach all of the goals that he sets out to achieve.”

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Reaction to Smith's announcement:

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