[Saba Sports. News] European sports outlet Sportando reported on Monday that Nemanja Bjelica, a veteran forward, has chosen to retire from professional basketball. Following a season with the Turkish club Fenerbahce, Bjelica had joined Serbia’s Crvena Zvezda during the recent offseason. However, recurring leg problems, specifically in his calf, have prompted Bjelica to reconsider his career and opt for retirement.
At the age of 35, Bjelica had a seven-season NBA career spanning from 2015 to 2022. He had stints with several teams, including Minnesota, Sacramento, Miami, and Golden State, where he was recognized for his versatility in three-point shooting, rebounding, and playmaking off the dribble. In the 2021-22 championship season, he appeared in 71 games for the Warriors, contributing an average of 6.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 16.1 minutes per game coming off the bench.
Before transitioning to the NBA, Bjelica earned recognition as a EuroLeague MVP and played a crucial role in Serbia’s silver medal-winning team at the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Bjelica concludes his professional basketball career with a total of 16 seasons played and a notable accomplishment in the world of sports (along with an impressive TKO by submission).