Former Warriors champion signs deal with European team
Former Golden State Warriors champion Nemanja Bjelica is heading back to Europe. The seven-year NBA veteran has been without an NBA team since helping the Warriors lift a championship in 2022. As such, Bjelica has signed with Serbian team BC Crvena Zvezda.
Bjelica started his professional career with BC Crvena Zvezda, playing for them between 2002 and 2006 before moving to the German basketball league. The 6’10” floor spacer returned to Crvena Zvezda in 2016 for two seasons. As such, Bjelica’s return to Serbia marks his third stint with the team and could allow him to finish up his career with the team that initially gave him his big break.
It’s official 🚨 @NemanjaBjelica returns to Serbia with his former club @kkcrvenazvezda 🔴⚪️ #EveryGameMatters pic.twitter.com/n7buRXuBTL
— Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) September 12, 2023
During his single season with Golden State, Bjelica participated in 71 regular-season games, averaging 6.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, shooting 46.8% from the field and 36.2% from 3-point range. The veteran forward was also an ever-present in Golden State’s postseason rotation, coming off the bench on 15 occasions en route to a championship ring.
Bjelica is 35 years old, so it’s unlikely we will see him make a return to the NBA in the future, at least in a playing capacity. Nevertheless, Bjelica ended his career in the league with a championship, allowing him to go out on a high note.
