'You just know': Canadian wheelchair basketball legend Patrick Anderson retires at 45

One of the most decorated Canadian basketball players of all time has retired.

Patrick Anderson, who led the Canadian men's wheelchair basketball team to three Paralympic gold medals and a silver, says last year's Paralympic Games in Paris was his last.

"You just know," the 45-year-old from Fergus, Ont., said in a news release. "Deep down when the elastic band snaps and you're like, 'You know what, it's just not in me anymore to put in the blood, sweat and tears to represent Canada at the highest level.

"It's been an honour to do it for a long time."

Anderson has been called the Michael Jordan of wheelchair basketball.

He was one of Canada's flag-bearers for the opening ceremonies in Paris. He scored 31 points and had 11 rebounds in the bronze-medal game that Canada lost to Germany.

Anderson said a successful 2024 season helped in his decision to retire.

He moved his family to Spain, where he played professionally in Bilbao, as Canada prepared for an Olympic qualifying repechage tournament. At the last-chance qualifier in Antibes, France, Anderson led Canada in a 72-60 victory over Italy to cement a spot at the Paralympic Games.

"It was a near-perfect year, the last one with the team," said Anderson. "From deciding to go with my wife and kids to Spain to prepare for the qualifier, going to the qualifier and squeaking through in such dramatic, exciting fashion."

Born in Edmonton and raised in Fergus, Anderson discovered wheelchair basketball after he was struck by a car at age nine and his lower legs were amputated below the knee.

He joined the senior Canadian men's team in 1998 and helped Canada to a bronze medal at that year's world championships. He added another bronze in 2002 before playing a key role in Canada's