Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Billy King announced today that center Todd MacCulloch will retire from the game of basketball.
MacCulloch missed the entire 2003-04 campaign and 40 games in 2002-03 due to foot neuropathy. The native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, was placed on the injured list on Feb. 19, 2003, and last played on Feb. 2 of that season. Most recently, he underwent tarsal tunnel release surgery on his left foot on Jan. 22, 2004.
"I really want to thank the fans, the city of Philadelphia and the entire 76ers organization for all of their support and patience," said MacCulloch. "I am deeply saddened that I will not be able to continue to play for the 76ers, but look forward to opportunities to stay involved in basketball and this special community."
The seven-foot center has continued to seek treatment over the past several months for his condition, but will be unable to continue his professional career. He will remain a member of the 76ers organization, serving as color analyst for the team's radio broadcasts and as a member of the Community Relations Department.
"Its unfortunate that Todd's basketball career has come to an end. As a player and a person, he couldn't have been more professional," said King. "I look forward to Todd contributing to our radio broadcasts and in the community for us in the future."
A five-year NBA veteran, MacCulloch has appeared in 223 games, with two teams (New Jersey and Philadelphia) and has posted career averages of 6.1 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. Originally selected by the Sixers in the second round (47th overall pick) of the 1999 NBA Draft, MacCulloch was signed by the Nets as a free agent on July 19, 2001, after two seasons with Philadelphia. He made back-to-back appearances in the NBA Finals with the Sixers (2001) and the Nets (2002). On Aug. 6, 2002, MacCulloch returned to the 76ers, along with Keith Van Horn in exchange for Dikembe Mutombo
Todd MacCulloch to Undergo Treatment for CIDP
Philadelphia 76ers center Todd MacCulloch will undergo treatment for suspected Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) by Dr. Terry Heiman-Patterson at Drexel University's Hahneman Hospital. MacCulloch will miss the Sixers' next three games, starting with the contest versus the New Jersey Nets on Jan. 15, 2003.
CIDP is a condition of the peripheral nervous system. Symptoms may include gradual weakness and the loss of sensation, and most commonly affects the arms and legs. In addition to weakness and the loss of sensation, CIDP also can cause aching muscle pain and the loss of tendon reflexes. The condition is closely related to Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), in which the difference from CIDP is that the symptoms occur as a more acute condition and appear rapidly over a period of days or weeks.
MacCulloch had played in all 37 games for the Sixers this season, including 36 starts. He was averaging 7.6 points and 4.9 rebounds in 20.5 minutes per game and was the team's top shot blocker with 31 rejections. Acquired from New Jersey on August 6, 2002, with Keith Van Horn and Dikembe Mutombo, MacCulloch missed 19 games in 2001-02 with plantar fascitis in his left foot while averaging career-highs of 9.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.44 blocks in 62 games (61 starts). Originally selected by the Sixers in the second round (47th overall pick) of the 1999 NBA Draft, MacCulloch was signed by the Nets as a free agent on July 19, 2001, after two seasons with Philadelphia. He made back-to-back appearances in the NBA Finals with the Sixers (2001) and the Nets (2002).