Perth Wildcats captain Damian Martin believes retiring teammate Greg Hire’s impact on the club’s success won’t be fully understood by the public until they sees the team without him next season.

Yesterday, Hire announced he would retire at the end of the season. The vice-captain has played 234 games for the Wildcats and is chasing a fourth championship.

Although he has averaged only three points and three rebounds per game throughout his career, Martin said stats never painted the true picture of Hire’s value.

“His impact on the team probably won’t be noticed until he’s no longer around,” Martin said.

“His influence on the club is a huge reason we’ve won three championships while he’s been a teammate.

“That leadership, that contagious behaviour and attitude on a daily basis, it’s going to be sorely missed and very hard to replace next year. I think that’s when we’re going to truly understand and appreciate the impact he’s had as a Perth Wildcats player.”

Coach Trevor Gleeson said Hire would leave a legacy of putting the team first and living the team’s values.

The three-time championship coach said Hire could have been named grand final MVP in 2013-2014 when he came off the bench in the deciding third game against Adelaide and contributed nine rebounds and five assists to inspire the Wildcats to victory.

Hire said that game was the highlight of his career.

“You live for those moments,” Hire said.

“I’ve watched a lot of highlights of that sort of thing.

“When you’re down on confidence, you do.

“As a kid growing up, you want to sink the buzzer-beater or do that. To step up in the biggest game of your career, upon reflection definitely (it was the highlight).”

An emotional Hire told Gleeson of his decision on Tuesday afternoon, then met Martin and Jesse Wagstaff at Martin’s house that night.

Hire began his career as a development player but quickly rose to become a key part of the team and embraced the chance to inspire other West Australian basketballers.

He contemplated retiring at the end of last season but said he needed to play for one more season.

“Last year, I battled injuries and did consider it,” Hire said.

“But for me it wasn’t the right time.

“I wanted to prove something to myself and to my family. I did a lot of hard work to come back.

“My body feels amazing and what we’re doing at this club is special but I thought it was the right time.

“I can go out on my own terms, relatively high and hopefully with a championship. The more I thought about it, I knew it was the right thing to do.”