After 20 wonderful years of playing basketball, Nemanja Bjelica has called it a career. The 6-foot-10 forward began his journey in 2007 while playing with the Traiskirchen Lions in the Austrian League. Bjelica then entered the NBA as the 35th overall pick by the Washington Wizards in 2010, but his rights were immediately traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite being drafted in 2010, he didn’t make his NBA debut until 2015 with the T-Wolves. Bjelica spent three seasons with the Timberwolves before joining the Sacramento Kings in free agency in 2018. In 2021, Bjelica was traded from the Kings to the Miami Heat. However, his stint with the Heat was short-lived, as he only played 11 games before signing with the Golden State Warriors the following offseason.

With the Warriors, the Serbian went on to win his first NBA championship in 2022, coming off the bench in 71 games for the team. This also marked the end of his NBA career. Throughout his NBA career, spanning 449 games (162 starts), Bjelica averaged 7.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, with shooting percentages of 46.6% from the field and 38.4% from beyond the arc. In a heartfelt Instagram post, he announced his decision to retire from the sport. “20 years… Thank you basketball,” wrote the 35-year-old Serbian forward as he concluded his remarkable career.

He later shared a letter expressing his gratitude to everyone who supported him in his journey and walking through the highlights of his career.

And as the NBA champion bid farewell, a chorus of heartfelt messages flooded in from players around the league.

NBA world bids farewell to the former Golden State Warriors forward

Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga commented, “Congrats brate 🫡🫡,” using the Serbian word for ‘brother.’ Brooklyn Nets guard Chris Chiozza echoed similar sentiments, saying, “Congrats Brate 🖤😢.” Washington Wizards point guard Tyus Jones joined in, adding, “Cheers brother🙏🏽♥️.” Los Angeles Lakers’ Gabe Vincent kept it succinct with a single word, “Brate.” Meanwhile, Indiana Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton expressed his feelings with, “Brate!!😭❤️,” and former NBA player Trevor Ariza followed, commenting, “Brate!! ❤❤.”

Fans also expressed their gratitude for the 7-year NBA veteran’s contributions. One fan said, “Thanks for the ’22 championship, bro.” Another added, “Wish u were still on the kings straight beast and bucket getter 🙌.” A Warriors fan wrote, “ALL THE NBA COMMUNITY LOVE YOU BJELI. AS A WARRIOR FAN, YOU ARE A LEGEND FOR LIFE 💙💛💙💛”

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Apart from winning an NBA title, Bjelica also won the EuroLeague MVP accolade in 2015 with Fenerbahce and was named to the All-EuroLeague First Team that same year. Bjelica was also an integral part of the Serbian rosters that won a silver medal in the 2014 FIBA World Cup and a bronze in the 2009 FIBA EuroBasket.

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