Nemanja Bjelica, a seven-year NBA veteran and former NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors, has declared his retirement from the game. Only a few weeks have passed since Otto Porter Jr., a teammate of the Warriors, too declared his retirement.
From 2007 to 2015, the Serbian native was a player for several foreign teams. During that period, Bjelica won the 2015 Serbian Player of the Year, the Turkish League, the Turkish Presidential Club, and the Zadar Basketball Tournament twice. He was also named the EuroLeague MVP once. Additionally, at the 2014 FIBA World Cup, Bjelica represented Serbia and assisted his nation in winning a silver medal
The Washington Wizards selected Bjelica with the 35th pick of the 2010 NBA Draft. But the Wizards promptly gave the Minnesota Timberwolves Bjelica’s draft rights. The forward, who was 27 at the time, made his NBA debut with the Timberwolves in 2015. Before signing a free agent contract with the Sacramento Kings in 2018, Bjelica spent three seasons with the team. Bjelica was moved by the Kings to the Miami Heat in 2021, however he signed an offseason contract with the Warriors after appearing in just 11 games for the franchise. Bjelica played 71 games for Golden State as a substitute player in route to winning his first and only NBA championship.
Teammate Draymond Green expressed his feelings regarding Bjelica’s choice to leave the NBA and return to Turkey after the championship run, saying he was “a little hurt by” it:
“This one hurts me a little bit because I had a chance to build a really great relationship with Beli that, to be honest, will endure longer than either of us playing basketball,” Draymond continued. However, I believe that Beli made this step more as a family than as a business. Beli has two young children, so being closer to his family hurts us, really hurts us. But, I thought Beli’s versatility and what he brought to the court—an additional playmaker—as well as the way he stretches the floor was really beneficial to us. And I believe that one hurt a little bit to lose him. Still, very pleased for,He’s returned to being closer to his family, and as someone who has my own family, I know how essential 
that is.
Bjelica averaged 7.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game during his playing career.
The Final Word on Retirement for Nemanja Bjelica
Bjelica’s résumé from his time spent abroad will always be considerably more remarkable than his NBA career. Nevertheless, the native of Serbia had a significant role in the Warriors’ 2022 championship run. His offensive variety and perimeter scoring were noteworthy. Bjelica will never be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, in the end. Nonetheless, he had a successful basketball career and was a reliable player.
