Golden State Warriors swingman Andrew Wiggins on Monday defined his choice to get the COVID-19 vaccine, noting that he felt “compelled” to take action as a way to proceed his NBA profession.

“The one choices had been to get vaccinated or not play within the NBA,” Wiggins mentioned after the Warriors’ preseason opener on the Portland Trail Blazers, his first public feedback since getting the shot. “It was a tricky choice. Hopefully, it really works out in the long term and in 10 years I am nonetheless wholesome.”

Wiggins’ choice comes after the league recently declined his application for a religious exemption. The subject of Wiggins’ vaccination standing got here into query previous to coaching camp given the restrictions from the San Francisco Division of Public Well being requiring anybody age 12 or over to be vaccinated to attend indoor occasions. As a part of that mandate, starting Oct. 13, Warriors gamers should present proof of vaccination earlier than getting into Chase Middle, except there may be an permitted medical or spiritual exemption.

Wiggins, 26, went into element about why he was so hesitant to get the shot, noting that he does not maintain any unwell will towards the Warriors group for the way the scenario performed out.

“They did not make the rule,” Wiggins mentioned. “However I suppose to do sure stuff, to work, I suppose you do not personal your physique. That is what it comes all the way down to. If you wish to work in society as we speak, then I suppose they made the principles of what goes in your physique and what you do. Hopefully, there’s lots of people on the market which might be stronger than me and preserve preventing, stand for what they imagine, and hopefully, it really works out for them.”

Wiggins mentioned he obtained the one-dose Johnson & Johnson shot, which can enable him to not miss any follow time and be absolutely vaccinated previous to the Warriors’ Oct. 21 dwelling opener in opposition to the LA Clippers.

Wiggins famous that he contracted COVID-19 beforehand and “it wasn’t too unhealthy.” He additionally mentioned he had an allergic response to one thing a few years in the past, describing it as a “scary second” that resulted in him now carrying an EpiPen.

“I do know lots of people get reactions or accidents from getting the vaccination, so I do not know what it may do to me in 10 years,” he mentioned.

“I really feel like I might go on for days about why I did not wish to get it. Most significantly, I do not know what is going on to occur or what it may do to my physique in 10, 20 years. … However I suppose it is one thing that needed to get carried out.”

Wiggins mentioned he’s coping with some physique aches and chills after getting vaccinated, however he was nonetheless in a position to play 16 minutes and rating 13 factors in Monday’s 121-107 win over the Blazers.

Wiggins additionally mentioned he’s the one member of his household who’s vaccinated.

“It is probably not one thing we imagine in as a household,” he mentioned. “They know that I needed to. It got here all the way down to get the vaccination or do not play basketball. I am 26. I’ve two children. I would like extra children. I am making an attempt to do one thing that may generate as a lot cash as I can for my children and my future children, [create] generational wealth. So, I took the gamble, took the chance, and hopefully, I am good.”

Wiggins mentioned he was appreciative of a few of the public help he obtained from teammates. Warriors ahead Draymond Green not too long ago mentioned that he didn’t think it was his place to push Wiggins towards getting the vaccine.

“It was good,” Wiggins mentioned. “It was nothing however love. Particularly from Draymond; [Andre] Iguodala mentioned a whole lot of good things. So, there was a whole lot of help on the staff, however no matter choice I made a decision to make, they had been going to face by it.”

Wiggins admitted that “time was not on my facet” and defined why he felt compelled to get the shot when he did.

“It feels good to play, however getting vaccinated, that is going to be one thing that stays in my thoughts for a very long time,” Wiggins mentioned. “It isn’t one thing I wished to do, however I used to be compelled to.”