Not all NBA players retire because of age or dwindling performance. These five stars stunned fans and teammates alike by stepping away in their prime.

5. Brandon Roy (27 years old)

NBA teams: Portland Trail Blazers, Minnesota Timberwolves
Years active: 2007-2013
Accolades: 3x All-Star, 2x All-NBA, Rookie of the Year
Reason for retirement: Degenerative knee condition

Roy entered the league out of Washington in 2006, and made an immediate impact as he won Rookie of the Year honors with the Portland Trail Blazers. However, he played just 57 games in his rookie season, an indicator of what was to come for the talented guard. He would be named an All-Star the following year, but underwent a surgical procedure on his left knee the following offseason.

In his third year, Roy had a breakout season, finishing in the top 10 in MVP voting and earning a maximum contract. He tore his meniscus and had surgery in 2010, and both of his knees were beginning to break down before the end of the 2010-11 season. With the cartilage in both his knees completely gone, he was forced to retire from the game in 2011.

Roy attempted a comeback in 2012 and signed with the Timberwolves, but played just five games before having knee surgery and retiring again.

4. Isiah Thomas (33 years old)

NBA team: Detroit Pistons
Years active: 1982-1994
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 12x All-Star, 5x All-NBA, 2x NBA champion
Reason for retirement: Achilles tear

The leader of the "Bad Boys" in Detroit, Thomas played for the Pistons for his entire 13-year career. The Chicago native was a national champion in college at Indiana, and he immediately made a name for himself in the NBA, scoring 20 or more points in five of his first six seasons. "Zeke" was named to the All-Star game 12 times, he won two NBA Championships, a Finals MVP, and was named First Team All-NBA three times.

In 1994, Thomas’ career ended when he tore his Achilles tendon. The injury was caused in part by his body breaking down and the rest of his legs having to compensate. Thomas was a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee, and went on to become a coach and executive in the NBA.

3. Brad Daugherty (28 years old)

NBA team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Years active: 1987-1994
Accolades: 5x All-Star, 1x All-NBA
Reason for retirement: Back issues

Daughtery is known by some these days as a NASCAR owner and analyst, but to others he is remembered as one of the best centers of the 1980s. The UNC product was a five-time NBA All-Star with the Cleveland Cavs and averaged 19.0 points and 9.5 boards per game over his eight-year career.

During the 1993-94 season, where he put up 17.0 points and 10.2 rebounds, he began to develop serious back problems. What was originally believed to be a strained lower back turned out to be a pair of herniated disks, which were removed surgically in December 1994. Rehab was unable to help him return to the league, and Daugherty was forced to retire in his prime, just two seasons into a nine-year contract extension.

2. Chris Bosh (32 years old)

NBA teams: Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat
Years active: 2004-2016
Accolades: 11x All-Star, 1x All-NBA, 2x NBA champion
Reason for retirement: Blood clots

Bosh won a pair of NBA championships in Miami along with his good pals LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Before that, he was a two-way force with the Toronto Raptors, and was named to the All-Star team 11 times in his NBA career. Bosh was a terrific big man, averaging 19.2 points and 8.5 rebounds during his 13-year career.

Unfortunately Bosh missed time after the 2016 All-Star Game upon being diagnosed with blood clots in his calf. The Heat began pressuring him to retire due to the severity of the disease, and eventually the NBA ruled that it was a career-ending illness. Bosh attempted to come back, but finally officially stepped away for good in 2019. His number was retired by the Heat later that spring.

1. Magic Johnson (31 years old)

NBA team: Los Angeles Lakers
Years active: 1980-1996
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 12x All-Star, 10x All-NBA, 3x MVP, 5x NBA champion
Reason for retirement: HIV

Few players inspired as much excitement and joy as Magic Johnson. The affable Michigan State star won an NBA title and the NBA Finals MVP in his first season, and was a five-time NBA champion and three-time MVP.

Just before the 1991-92 season, Magic shocked the world when he announced that he was HIV-positive, and would be retiring immediately for safety reasons. He would return to play on the 1992 Dream Team, winning a gold medal at the Olympics. He then attempted to return to the NBA for the 1992-93 season, but retired again after the pre-season due to concerns from other players in the league.

Johnson returned as a player-coach in 1995-96. He played in 32 games with the Lakers and averaged nearly 15 points per game despite not having played in five years.