Warriors' Andrew Wiggins on COVID-19 vaccine: 'I didn't like that it wasn't my choice'

Golden State Warriors swingman Andrew Wiggins made it clear last fall he was reluctant to get vaccinated against COVID-19 but ultimately received the necessary jab so he could participate in home games without having to worry about any local ordinances regarding indoor events at the time. 

On paper, that decision worked out well for Wiggins. He became a first-time All-Star and then went on to help the Warriors win the 2022 NBA Finals en route to earning the first championship ring of his career. Nevertheless, the 27-year-old recently admitted to FanSided that he now wishes he "didn't get [vaccinated], to be honest with you." 

"I did it, and I was an All-Star this year and champion, so that was the good part, just not missing out on the year, the best year of my career," Wiggins explained during his comments, per Kendra Andrews of ESPN. "But for my body, I just don't like putting all that stuff in my body, so I didn't like that and I didn't like that it wasn't my choice. I didn't like that it was either get this or don't play."

ESPN's Nick Friedell noted last October that the NBA declined Wiggins' application for a religious exemption as the San Francisco Department of Public Health required anyone 12 years of age or over to be vaccinated against the coronavirus to attend large indoor events such as professional basketball games.