The Olimpia Milan's forward Nikola Mirotic reflected on his career and talked about playing in the Spanish national team, claiming: "I never felt Spanish."
Nikola Mirotic is one of the biggest stars of the Euroleague. He started dominating in the EuroLeague early in his career when he was in Real Madrid.
Mirotic was also an important player in the Spanish national team back in the days that he played for them. However, playing for them didn't give him a feeling of belonging.
"I never felt Spanish," Mirotic told Skweek.
"I am an orthodox Montenegrin-Serbian even though I played with Spain. I always thought that Spain is my second home because I did very well. It gave me the opportunity, and I feel grateful for that," Mirotic explained.
With Spain, the forward won gold at the 2015 European Championship and bronze at the Rio 2016 Games, and although he retired in 2023, he continues to play under the Spanish flag in the Euroleague.
It is worth remembering that Mirotic sparked a debate even before the call-up. Mirotic, finally, was selected in the place of Serge Ibaka as the player for Spain, who was not born in the country.
Ibaka, for his part, won the gold medal in the 2011 EuroBasket and the Olympic silver medal in the 2012 London Olympics.
Meanwhile, Mirotic was rumored to return in 2022 and 2023 but ended up confirming that he was leaving the national team.
"Coming back? I don't think so. It's been many years since I've played for them. I've focused on giving everything to the club I'm at. Then, in the summer, I have my personal things, family, and business. And I'm at an age where I don't see myself coming back", he said back in 2023.
In the 2010-11 season, Mirotic was awarded as the EuroLeague's rising star. That same year, Mirotic was selected 23rd pick in the NBA draft by the Houston Rockets, the same night forward was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves and later to the Chicago Bulls.
With a decent NBA career, he came back to dominate the EuroLeague. Now, he is a leader in Olimpia Milan, averaging 18.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 23.3 PIR per game.
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