While rumors from Serbia had mentioned a possible early retirement two weeks ago, it is finally Nemanja Bjelica himself who cut short the suspense by officially announcing his withdrawal from professional basketball, via a long letter published on his Instagram account.
“Recently, I have read several official announcements from professional athletes talking about the end of their careers. This made me think that when the time comes, I would personally try to avoid such a moment, as I have always been a low-key person and have tried to keep my media appearances brief and only concern basketball », he wrote. “Not long ago I read that no one has ever won a race against time. In recent years, I have become fully aware of this. Even today, after 20 years of dedication to this sport, I feel the need to officially announce that the end has come.”
MVP in Euroleague, champion in NBA
The 35-year-old Serbian international is undoubtedly referring to a recurring calf injury which ultimately deprived him of his latest challenges, the World Cup last summer then his planned return to Red Star Belgrade where he had launched his career from 2008 to 2010.
Euroleague MVP in 2015 with Fenerbahçe, Nemanja Bjelica then joined the NBA, playing for three years at Wolves, before shining at Kings for two and a half seasons. Transferred to the Heat, it was ultimately to the Warriors that he bounced back to win the title in June 2022, before returning to Europe and Fenerbahçe for a short match, which will therefore remain the last of his professional career.
Nemanja Bjelica also paid tribute to those who marked his professional career, particularly when he arrived in the NBA, citing Zarko Djurisic, personnel director at Minnesota, but also Vlade Divac and Peja Stojakovic who accompanied his time in Sacramento: “They gave me new motivation, new challenges and pushed me towards new victories”he added. “Ultimately, the peak of my professional career was winning a championship ring with the Golden State Warriors and Steve Kerr, who showed me that basketball was about so much more than winning.”
It was at the Warriors that he met the late Dejan Milojevic, whom he also mentioned in his farewell message.
