Alex Ruoff Retires from Professional Basketball, Joins WVU Staff

Former Mountaineer guard Alex Ruoff announced his retirement from basketball on Friday morning. Ruoff released a note on social media thanking the people that helped him throughout his career.

Just hours after Ruoff’s tweet, West Virginia men’s basketball announced that the former guard will be joining the staff as a graduate assistant.

Ruoff played for West Virginia from 2005-09 under head coaches John Beilein and Bob Huggins. The Spring Hill, Fl. native was a part of 2-Sweet 16 teams and the NIT Championship team in 2007. The 261 threes by Ruoff during his four seasons at West Virginia is still the program’s record. Ruoff shot 37 percent from three during his career at West Virginia.

“How about that ride in? 17 years ago, I stepped on West Virginia’s campus to achieve a childhood dream of playing college basketball. Immediately following graduation, I boarded a plane to Europe and never looked back. The past 13 years has been a wild adventure I could have never imagined living out as a young boy…

“I look back at my career, all the life experience and relationships the game has given me with a level of gratefulness difficult to describe with words. I find myself fighting tears ducks when I think of all the people God placed in my life who helped me along this journey. From a middle school coach taking a troubled kid under his wing, to a high school coach becoming the closest thing I ever had to a father. My mother, with the help of two wonderful grandparents, raising, sacrificing for the three of us all while battling MS behind the scenes. Coach Beilein, taking a chance on me, bringing me to the state I now call home. Bob Huggins, not only taking my game to the next level, but instilling me a toughness, sense of pride I carried with me all throughout my career and still do to this day. A whole basketball family at WVU over the years. All the coaches, trainers, teammates, and managers supporting me every step of the way. Andy Kettler being so much more than a strength coach. They were behind the work ethic, the drive, and the sole reason any accomplishments were achieved. I am stepping away from the game knowing in my heart I made them proud, which is more than enough for me…

“To all my friends, fans, clubs overseas who gave me a decade plus full of memories I will cherish for a lifetime, thank you dearly! BG Gottingen, Gottingen friend and supporters, y’all were special! It sure was an honor to wear the violet for as long as I did…

“If it wasn’t enough, God brought it full circle by allowing me to take the court for the last time as a professional in front of my family wearing the gold & blue representing this great state. Damn good ending if you ask me…

“I am walking away healthy, grateful beyond measure, and giving God all the glory! Very excited for what he has in store for me next,” Ruoff wrote.