Achille Polonara has announced his retirement from professional basketball at the age of 34, sharing an emotional message on social media. The Italian forward, affectionately known as “Achi,” revealed that despite attempting to return to individual training, he realized he could no longer perform at his previous level.
“I tried, getting back to individual workouts, but I understand it’s time to stop playing because I won’t be the player I used to be,” he wrote, expressing his wish to be remembered for who he was on the court. His farewell was heartfelt, thanking coaches, teammates, and medical staff—while also acknowledging critics: “You were my strength.”
Polonara enjoyed a long and meaningful career at both club and international level. After developing in the youth ranks of Teramo, he made his Serie A debut in the 2009/2010 season, gradually earning recognition for his versatility and energy. With the Italian national team, he earned 94 caps between 2012 and 2025, competing in major tournaments including the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, the 2023 World Cup, and two EuroBasket editions.
Among the highlights of his career were winning the FIBA Europe Cup with Sassari in 2019 and securing a national title in Spain with Baskonia. He also played for top European clubs such as Fenerbahce, Anadolu Efes, and Zalgiris Kaunas, before joining Virtus Bologna, where he won the 2025 league title and the 2023 Supercup.
In recent years, however, his journey was marked by serious health challenges. After undergoing surgery for testicular cancer in 2023, Polonara made a comeback, only to be diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in June 2025. A bone marrow transplant followed. Despite encouraging signs and attempts to resume activity, his body ultimately forced him to step away.
His retirement marks not only the end of an important career but also the beginning of a new chapter, approached with the same courage he always showed on the court.
