In an Instagram post on Saturday, the former Kings forward and Warriors champion declared his retirement from basketball.
Bjelica, 35, stated in a statement, “Recently, I have read several official announcements by professional athletes talking about the end of their careers.” “That made me consider how, as a private person who has made an effort to limit her media appearances to basketball-related topics, I would personally attempt to avoid such a moment when the time comes.
“I read not too long ago that no one has ever prevailed in a race against time. I’ve been acutely aware of that for the past few years. I still feel the need to formally declare the game’s end, even after 20 years of dedication.”
Bjelica, a 2010 second-round selection, joined the NBA in 2015 after moving abroad. Before joining Sacramento in 2018, he played for the Minnesota Timberwolves throughout his first three seasons.
Over the course of more than two seasons, the 6-10 Serbian forward averaged 10.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 24.2 minutes per game while starting 138 of his 175 total appearances with the Kings.
“When I arrived to the NBA I had to adjust and change my style of playing completely, but I do not regret,” stated Bjelica. “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.”
Bjelica signed with the Warriors in the 2021 summer after being traded by Sacramento to the Miami Heat in the middle of the season. In 71 games during the regular season, he played for Golden State, averaging 16.1 minutes, 6.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists.
Following that, Bjelica made 15 postseason games with the Dubs, averaging 2.9 points in 10 minutes per game as they won the NBA title in 2022.
“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,” stated Bjelica.
As he expressed gratitude to those who “have supported me and contributed to the development of my career,” Bjelica also gave a shout-out to the late assistant coach of the Warriors, Dejan Milojević.
Bjelica’s final NBA season was the Warriors’ championship-winning campaign. In 2022–2023 he was a player for Fenerbahçe Beko, a Turkish team.
After seven NBA seasons, 162 starts, 449 total appearances, and an average of 7.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, Bjelica puts up his sneakers. Throughout his career, he shot 46.6 percent overall and 38.4 percent from three points.
Bjelica, a former MVP of the EuroLeague, won silver in the FIBA EuroBasket and FIBA World Cup while representing Serbia.
Now that his playing days are finished, Bjelica’s future is unknown, but it appears he will continue to play basketball in some manner.
“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 stated.