DURHAM, N.C. — Trent Meacham attempted retirement twice before it actually stuck.
The first time came early in the Centennial grad and former Illinois guard's professional basketball career. Three seasons in, he was sure the money wasn't good enough to match what he felt wasn't a great experience.
"Stepping away for a few months and then deciding to return really energized me to continue," Meacham said. "That's kind of when my career took off professionally after that."
Meacham played five more seasons before he considered retiring again. This time the reason was more personal. His wife, Theresa, was dealing with what he called "a very challenging pregnancy" with much of it spent in a French hospital.