ESPN NBA insider Adrian “Woj” Wojnarowski made a surprise announcement today: He is retiring after seven years with the network to become general manager of the men’s basketball program at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure.

“This craft has changed my life, but I have decided to step away from ESPN and the news industry,” he wrote on X. “I understand the commitment my role requires, and it is an investment I no longer want to make. Time is not infinite, and I want to spend it in a way that is more meaningful to me personally.”

He added: “After all these years of covering everyone else’s teams, I’m now returning to my own.”

In fact, Wojnarowski, 55, who grew up two miles from ESPN’s Bristol, Connecticut, campus, has been covering “everyone else’s teams” since 1987, when he first worked for the Hartford CourantHe joined the Worldwide Leader in 2017 after working at Yahoo Sports and the New Jersey newspaper. The Bergen recordamong other jobs.

“Woj” was ESPN’s star NBA reporter and was known for spreading insider tips about the league. During the 2020 Covid lockdown, he was suspended after tweeting a response to Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), who had sent a mass letter criticizing NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and the league’s relationship with China. Wojnarowski responded with “F*ck you.” The next day, several NBA stars, including LeBron James, spoke out in support of the reporter.

Watch ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith discuss Wojnarowski’s retirement and career here: