Alonzo Mourning Retires. Wait, Wasn't He Already Retired?

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Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning officially retired from basketball today. Of course, many thought that the former All-Star already was retired.

The 38-year-old hadn't played in the NBA since suffering a serious knee injury in December 2007. At the time, it was assumed that the veteran center's career was over. It turns out that Mourning was seriously considering a return to the Heat.

Today, however, Mourning ended all speculation today.

Today's announcement marks Alonzo Mourning's second retirement. In 2003, Mourning retired due to kidney problems. Although doctors told him he could never play pro basketball again, Mourning returned to the Heat in 2005.

During his prime, Alonzo Mourning was one of the most feared center's of his time. He was a seven-time All-Star and was part of the Heat's 2006 championship team.

Late last year, Mourning wrote a biography that talked about, among other things, rampant NCAA recruiting violations.

The Miami Heat will likely retire Mourning's #33 jersey. If so, he will be the first Heat player to have his jersey retired by the team. Strangely, the Heat have retired the numbers of two numbers who never even played for the Heat. Both Michael Jordan's #23 and former Miami Dolphins' quaterback Dan Marino's #13 hang from the rafters of American Airlines Arena.