NIKOLA Mirotic entertained NBA fans for years before deciding to return to Europe and never looking back.
The 32-year-old former NBA big man continued his basketball career in Europe and revealed the moment that impacted his decision to return.
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Nikola Mirotic spent five years in the NBACredit: Getty
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Nikola Mirotic shared why he walked away from the NBA for EuropeCredit: Getty
Mirotic spent five seasons in the NBA, jumping from city to city and playing for three teams.
He expressed displeasure with his role in the NBA and detailed in an interview with Eurohoops when he decided to return to Europe while sitting at the airport.
“I felt that time was passing, and I had not played the best basketball of my life, although it was very good,” Mirotic said.
“As soon as I didn’t feel that joy and happiness to improve. I said it was time to go back and do something bigger in Europe.”
“For me, the most important thing has always been enjoying the game, being happy, an important piece, trying to win the titles and, if I’m not in that environment, I don’t care about all the money. I’m going away.”
Mirotic was a standout athlete growing up. He joined Real Madrid at 14 in 2005 and spent several seasons there before entering his name into the NBA draft.
The Houston Rockets selected him with the 23rd overall pick in the 2011 draft.
That draft was loaded and featured superstars Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Kawhi Leonard, and several other NBA All-Stars.
However, Mirotic didn’t come to the NBA until 2015 after electing to stay in Spain for a few more seasons — by this time he had been traded to the Chicago Bulls.
He would go on to make the All-NBA rookie in his first season and spent the three with the Bulls, but a nasty fight in practice with a teammate ended his tenure with the team.
In 2017, Mirotic and teammate Bobby Portis got into an altercation, resulting in multiple facial fractures for Mirotic.
He would go on to play for the New Orleans Pelicans and Milwaukee Bucks before heading back home to play.
Mirotic made over $41million during his time in the NBA and continues to play in Europe.
He’s expected to sign with Partizan Mozzart Bet of the EuroLeague, where he averaged 15.9 points a game last season.
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He was drafted by the Houston Rockets in the 2011 NBA draftCredit: Getty
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