Nemanja Bjelica spoke after the decision to end his career.
Izvor: Antonio Ahel/ATAImages
Nemanja Bjelica (35) made a decision that is the most difficult for many athletes in their career, he decided to retire. Due to all the problems with injuries, he was unable to play again for Red Star, so he decided to put an end to his professional duties with basketball.
He posted a short clip on social media, and then made an emotional announcement. “So far, I have read numerous announcements by professional athletes announcing the end of their careers. Then I thought that when the time came, I would personally avoid such a moment, because I have always tried to make my only address to the public exclusively from the basketball court. Some time ago I read that no one beat time. In recent years I have become fully aware of this. Now, despite all my expectations, I feel the need to, after 20 years, officially announce that the end has come,” began Bjelica.
He also remembers his first steps. “In the beginning, I was looking for my little place on the basketball map, starting from the court of my block 70 in New Belgrade, until I really fell in love with basketball hoops after working with coach Aco Janjić. Many people don’t know that Milan Mandarić played me in “Superfund”, later Zoran Kostić in Austria, then Branko and Milivoje Karalejić, as well as my first agents Bojan Tanjević and Luciano Kapikjoni, were very supportive and encouraging in the beginning that I could do a lot and far. I appreciate that and I will never forget it.”
Nemanja Bjelica’s emotional presentation: No one has beaten time! Special thanks to the three Serbian coaches!
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He specifically listed three Serbian experts. “I owe special thanks to three of our great coaches, without whom basketball in Serbia would not be so appreciated and loved today.. They, each in their own way, taught me what the game means for the national team and how to defend the flag and coat of arms of our Serbia. Svetislav Pešić he recognized me as a player, gave me a chance and provided great support. Dušan Ivković included me in the national team, whose jersey I wore with great pride for years, and Željko Obradović I played the best basketball in my life in Fenerbahce and became the MVP of the Euroleague season.”
From Europe, he then went “across the ocean” and there he played for Minnesota, Sacramento, Miami and Golden State. “In the NBA, I completely changed the way I play, but I don’t regret it… Žarko Đurišić, during his stay in Minnesota, then Vlade Divac and Peđa Stojaković in Sacramento gave me a new impetus and strongly pushed me to new victories. The crown of my professional journey was winning a championship ring with the Golden State Warriors and coach Steve Kerr who showed me the basketball rectangle in a different way. During my career in America, Lucas Charte from Spain became my great friend, sincere advisor and a man of great trust. I also owe gratitude to my brother Vladimir Ćuk, who was always by my side.”
Nemanja Bjelica’s emotional presentation: No one has beaten time! Special thanks to the three Serbian coaches!
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He does not forget his family and many friends. “And everyone else I met on my basketball journey, numerous teammates and friends from the national team, then Sead Galijašević, Dušan Sajić, doctor Gaga Radovanović, Bata Zimonjić, Dejan Milojević, Srđan Nedeljković, Aca Matović, Aleksandar Kesar, Filip Volšek and many others, each in their own way, made an undoubted contribution to the development of my career. Of course, my wonderful parents always stood by me, especially father Milovan, whose immense love and unreserved support I felt constantly and everywhere. However, my greatest success and pride are my children Nika and Stefan.”
At the end, he thanked everyone once again. “Thanks to the Serbian national team, Red Star, Fenerbahce and Golden State. Maybe I overdid it a little, but it seems it had to be… This is the end of my career and I hope to soon start a new challenge in the sport that I love so much and that has given me so much. Thank you all,” concluded Bjelica.
BONUS VIDEO:
00:20 Nemanja Bjelica Source: Instagram/nemanjabjelica8
Source: Instagram/nemanjabjelica8