Basketball star Nemanja Bjelica announced his retirement in an Instagram post on Saturday, putting a full stop on his noteworthy NBA career.
“Lately I have read several official announcements by professional athletes talking about the end of their careers,” “That got me thinking that when the time comes, I would personally try to avoid such a moment, as I have always been a private person and have tried to keep my media appearances short and only related to basketball.
“Somewhere not long ago I read that no one has ever won a race against time. Over the last years I have become fully aware of that. Even now, after 20 years devoting myself to the game, I feel the need to officially announce that the end has come.”
Nemanja Bjelica is retiring from the game of basketball pic.twitter.com/TFIKVnMuZ0
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 23, 2024
The former Golden State Warriors champion and Kings forward, known for his remarkable second-round pick in 2010, spent his initial NBA seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves before joining Sacramento.
Bjelica, a significant Serbian player, averaged 10.1 points in over two seasons with the Kings and 6.1 points with the Warriors.
“When I arrived to the NBA I had to adjust and change my style of playing completely, but I do not regret,” Bjelica said. “Firstly, Zarko Djurisic during my stay in Minnesota and then Vlade Divac and Peja Stojaković in Sacramento gave me new motivation and challenges and pushed me into new victories.”
His basketball journey peaked when the Dubs clinched the 2022 NBA title. He acknowledged his championship triumph with the Warriors and expressed appreciation to coach Steve Kerr in his announcement.
“Finally, and the peak of my professional career, was getting the championship ring with the Golden State Warriors and coach Steve Kerr, who showed me that basketball is more than winning,” Bjelica said.
Bjelica also poured out his heartfelt gratitude to late Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević as he thanked those who “have supported me and contributed to the development of my career.”
His retirement marks the close of an NBA career featuring 162 starts and 449 total appearances, a career shooting score of 38.4%, and a FIBA EuroBasket and World Cup Silver Medal with Serbia.
His future plans remain undisclosed. “I’m officially retiring as a basketball player, but I am looking forward to new challenges in the sport that I love and that has given me everything,” Bjelica said.
