36ers star Isaac Humphries announces shock retirement

• All 165 games of the NBL27 season in one list
• Every NBL27 roster, squad list and projected depth chart
• Every injured NBL player, with expected return dates
• Hammertime: Who is leading NBL27 in dunks

Adelaide 36ers big man Isaac Humphries has announced his sudden retirement from basketball after constant complications from a knee injury forced him to call time on his career without playing a game in NBL27.

Humphries announced the decision on his Instagram page following eight seasons in the NBL, including six and more than 100 games with the 36ers.

"I'm so sad to say goodbye like this," the 28-year-old star big man wrote on his retirement post.

"Sometimes life deals you cards that tell your story for you, and due to my continued knee injury I've made the incredibly difficult decision to retire.

"I'll miss my teammates. The laughs. The trenches. I'll miss the fans, the noise, and the feeling of having an entire community behind you.

"I gave so much of my life to this sport, and it gave me a life I could have never imagined right back.

"There is so much more to say, but for now, just thank you.

"I hope the identity I created lives on in every person who wears my jersey, and in every place I was lucky enough to call home.

"It's not exactly a goodbye but maybe an until I see you soon.

"So for now, and from your number 8, thank you."

Humphries established himself as one of the best big men in the league over the past two seasons in Adelaide, helping the club bounce back to become a playoff force once again.

He is the second player in just two weeks to announce their retirement due to injury after Tasmania JackJumpers veteran Anthony Drmic hung up his boots after a serious back injury, which he had dealt with across his 11-year career.

Humphries will also be remembered as a trail blazer in professional sport after he publicly came out as gay while playing for Melbourne United in 2022.

NBL legend and Humphries' former teammate at the 36ers, Jason Cadee, said the big man was a "joy to play alongside".

"I was around Isaac for his rookie season and for one of his last. His growth as a person between those stints was something that stood out but didn’t surprise me," Cadee told basketball.com.au.

"I always loved him as a person and teammate. We got along from the start so well on and off the court that when I was going back to Adelaide one of the main things I was excited about was being alongside him again.

"He was a joy to play alongside but mostly to become friends with.

"He deserves great praise for what he’s been able to achieve and persevere through in his career."