TONY "Rambo" Rampton will complete one of professional sport's most difficult challenges tomorrow when he walks away from ­basketball on his own terms.

Rampton, who racked up his 250th NBL game last week against the Crocs in Townsville, will haul his seven-foot frame off the court for the last time in the Australian league tomorrow night.

Pictures: Cairns Taipans 2009-10

While he will keep touch with the sport by playing for the Nelson Giants in the New Zealand NBL, Rampton will play his last game as a career sportsman tomorrow, turning his Taipans singlet in for study as a primary school teacher.

"I’m ready to move on and do something different, but I’ll miss the day-to-day joy of training and competition," Rampton said.

The 33-year-old will complete a graduate diploma in teaching at the University of Canterbury, a decision that he is comfortable with, but one that did not come easily.

"It’s been tough," Rampton said.

"I was ready not to play this year (2009-10) because there were not many jobs around (in the league)."

A member of the now-defunct Sydney Spirit last season, Rampton was out of a job when the team folded last year but was given the chance to return to Cairns, the place he started his NBL career in 2000.

"I guess this is a bonus year," Rampton said of adding to his already-impressive tally of games with the Taipans.

"Not many people get the chance to start in one place and finish in one place.

"Last year, (retirement) would have been forced. This year, I think it’s on my terms and I feel it’s a decision I’ve made and not one someone else has forced on me.

"In your mind, that makes it easier to move forward."

Rampton is fifth on the Taipans’ all-time games list with 133 appearances for Cairns, behind Aaron Grabau (330), Anthony Stewart (223), Gary Boodnikoff (182) and Kane Oakley (150).

Surgery on his ankle early in his career with Cairns limited his time on court and after back problems in recent years, he was told by doctors he probably wouldn’t play again.

"To be able to still play and contribute is pretty fun," he said. "At the time (of the injuries), I didn’t feel like I was done.

"It took a lot of work to get back. When you realise you can still play and play at this level, it’s a relief."

Rampton plays and trains with an infectious passion and while he knows he is likely to be disappointed tomorrow night, he is ready to move on. Playing against the Breakers rounds the experience out for the two-time New Zealand Olympian, who would like nothing more than to deny the visitors – who last night beat Gold Coast 109-94 to keep their playoff chances alive – a finals place.

"For the team, we want to finish on a high," Rampton said of his final game in Taipans colours.

"Hopefully, we can come out loose and give it a real go."