28th June 2010

David Langrell's done and he's ready to "play dad".

The 0800 Easy LPG Hawks one-season captain has never won a National Basketball League title in his 178-match career but he is philosophical after his troops bowed out in the semifinals against the Wellington Saints in the capital on Friday night.

"I'm done, retired," the 34-year-old forward told SportToday. "I'm expecting a second kid on the way in October and I've had a fabulous time in the Bay," he said, thanking the Hawks franchise and head coach Shawn Dennis for making his family feel at home.

"It's been a great experience but my family life is in Christchurch so it's time I just moved on."

Langrell aims to secure a teaching job for the second half of the year as well as focusing on his "little private business".

He lauded the Hawks for playing with "a tremendous amount of heart".

"Probably the biggest factor was that we couldn't come up with enough possession. They beat us on the glass and we knew that was a huge error and they came up with crucial offensive and defensive rebounds," he said of the 98-92 defeat that sees defending champions Waikato Pistons lock horns with league leaders Saints in a best-of-three finals starting in Hamilton.

"We're a great team so I'm gutted because our ultimate goal was to get the title. That's the way it goes in sport so life goes on," he said.