Nemanja Bjelica
Fenerbahçe | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015–2018 | Minnesota Timberwolves | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018–2021 | Sacramento Kings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | Miami Heat | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2021–2022 | Golden State Warriors | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022–2023 | Fenerbahçe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stats at NBA.com | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medals
|
Nemanja Bjelica (
Professional career
Arkadia Traiskirchen (2007–2008)
Bjelica began playing basketball at Aca Janjić basketball school, before joining the
Crvena zvezda (2008–2010)
After one season abroad, he returned to the Serbian team
Bjelica was drafted by the Washington Wizards with the 35th pick of the 2010 NBA draft. His draft rights were then traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.[4]
Saski Baskonia (2010–2013)
In August 2010, Bjelica signed a five-year contract with Spanish club Saski Baskonia.[5] In his first season with the club, he didn't get much playing time, averaging only 9 minutes played per game. In his second season with Baskonia, he averaged 4.8 points per game, on 56% shooting from the field, and 47% shooting from 3 point range, three in 13 minutes played per game. His third and last season with the club was the most successful, as he played in 26 games, with the averages of 9.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1 steal per game, on 46% shooting from the field.
Fenerbahçe (2013–2015)
On 22 July 2013, Bjelica signed a three-year deal with the Turkish team
The following season, Bjelica's game saw its most improvement and consistency. On 30 March 2015, he was named the EuroLeague MVP of the Month for March, his first such monthly award in his career. Over 4 games played in March, he averaged 15 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block per game.[9] In May 2015, he was chosen to the All-EuroLeague First Team, for his performances over the season.[10] Eventually, Bjelica was named the EuroLeague MVP of the season.[11] Fenerbahçe also advanced to the EuroLeague Final Four for the first time in the team's history.[12] On 15 May 2015, however, they lost in the semifinal game to Real Madrid, by a score of 87–96.[13] Eventually, Fenerbahçe finished in 4th place, after losing in the third-place game to CSKA Moscow, by a score of 80–86.[14] Bjelica had his best season since coming to the club, averaging a career-high 12.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Fenerbahçe, however, finished the season without winning any trophy, after also losing in the semi-final series of the Turkish League championship, to the eventual league champions Pınar Karşıyaka.
On 1 July 2015, Bjelica opted out of his contract with Fenerbahçe in order to play in the
Minnesota Timberwolves (2015–2018)
On 14 July 2015, Bjelica signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves.[16] He made his debut for the Timberwolves in their season opener on 28 October 2015, recording eight points and five rebounds in a 112–111 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.[17] On 7 November 2015, he had a season-best game with 17 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block against the Chicago Bulls. On 7 April 2016, he scored a season-high 18 points against the Sacramento Kings. Four days later, he recorded 11 points and a season-high 14 rebounds against the Houston Rockets.[18]
On 13 November 2016, Bjelica made his first career start and scored a career-high 24 points in a 125–99 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.[19] On 16 March 2017, he was ruled out for the rest of the 2016–17 season with a left foot injury.[20] He underwent surgery five days later to repair a fractured navicular bone in his left foot.[21]
Bjelica missed 15 games spanning November and December of the 2017–18 season with a sprained left foot.[22] On 8 March 2018, he scored a career-high 30 points on 11-for-16 shooting, including 6 for 9 from 3-point range, in a 117–109 loss to the Boston Celtics. He also had 12 rebounds to record his first 20–10 game in the NBA.[23]
Sacramento Kings (2018–2021)
On 21 July 2018, just days after backing out of a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers with the intention of returning to Europe, Bjelica signed a three-year, $20.5 million contract with the Sacramento Kings.[24][25][26] In his first season with the club, Bjelica averaged 9.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.
The 2019–20 NBA season was the best season Bjelica had since coming to the NBA, as he averaged 11.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists over 72 games. The season was suspended in March as a result of COVID-19 pandemic and Sacramento Kings were invited for 22-team 2020 NBA Bubble. Eventually, they did not manage to qualify for the playoffs and finished the season with 31–41 record.
Miami Heat (2021)
On 25 March 2021, Bjelica was traded to the Miami Heat in exchange for Maurice Harkless and Chris Silva.[27]
Golden State Warriors (2021–2022)
On 6 August 2021, Bjelica signed with the Golden State Warriors.[28] He made his debut for the Warriors in their season opener on 19 October 2021, recording a double-double off the bench with 15 points and 11 rebounds in a 121–114 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.[29][30] He became the first player to post a double-double off the bench in his Warriors debut since Sam Williams (16 points, 12 rebounds) on 30 October 1981 at Denver.[31] During the 2022 NBA Finals, Bjelica held Celtics star Jayson Tatum to 0-6 shooting and 4 turnovers en route to his first NBA championship.[32] He became the fourth NBA player from Serbia who won the championship, joining Darko Miličić, Peja Stojaković, and Ognjen Kuzmić.[33]
Return to Fenerbahçe (2022–2023)
On 9 August 2022, Bjelica signed a two-year deal to return to
Bjelica made his season debut on 3 March 2023, after missing much of the season due to a calf injury.On 12 September 2023, Bjelica was released by Fenerbahçe.[36]
Hours after being released by Fenerbahçe, Bjelica signed a contract with Crvena zvezda.[36] On 9 October 2023, it was announced that Bjelica has allegedly parted ways with his home town team, after getting caught in a fight with Crvena zvezda head coach Duško Ivanović.[37]
On 23 March 2024, Bjelica officially announced his retirement from professional basketball.[38]
National team career
Bjelica played with the senior
During
He was also a member of the Serbian national basketball team that won the silver medal at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup under head coach Aleksandar Đorđević. Although his three-point shooting form wasn't impressive during the tournament, he was still one of the most important players of the team, filling all sorts of roles with his handling, passing, rebounding, and scoring. He ended the tournament with averages of 11.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game.
He was also a member of the team that represented Serbia at the
At the
Post-playing career
Bahçeşehir Koleji
In April 2024, Bahçeşehir Koleji appointed Bjelica as the club's new head of basketball operations for the 2024-25 season.[47]
Awards and accomplishments
- Club
- NBA champion: 2022
- Fenerbahçe
- Zadar Basketball Tournament: 2014, 2015
- Turkish Basketball League: 2013–14
- 2013
- Individual
- 2015 EuroLeague MVP
- 2015 Serbian Player of the Year
- All-EuroLeague First Team
- All-EuroLeagueForward of the Year
- 2015 March Fenerbahçe
- 2010 All-Serbian League First Team
- 2009 Best Athlete of SD Crvena Zvezda
Career statistics
GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
† | Won an NBA championship |
NBA
Regular season
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2015–16 | Minnesota | 60 | 0 | 17.9 | .468 | .384 | .727 | 3.5 | 1.4 | .4 | .4 | 5.1 |
2016–17 | Minnesota | 65 | 1 | 18.3 | .424 | .316 | .738 | 3.8 | 1.2 | .6 | .3 | 6.2 |
2017–18 | Minnesota | 67 | 21 | 20.5 | .461 | .415 | .800 | 4.1 | 1.3 | .7 | .2 | 6.8 |
2018–19 | Sacramento | 77 | 70 | 23.2 | .479 | .401 | .761 | 5.8 | 1.9 | .7 | .7 | 9.6 |
2019–20 | Sacramento | 72 | 67 | 27.9 | .481 | .419 | .821 | 6.4 | 2.8 | .9 | .6 | 11.5 |
2020–21 | Sacramento | 26 | 1 | 16.9 | .460 | .293 | .762 | 3.8 | 1.9 | .3 | .1 | 7.2 |
Miami | 11 | 2 | 14.2 | .435 | .370 | .556 | 2.5 | 1.8 | .6 | .3 | 5.0 | |
2021–22† | Golden State | 71 | 0 | 16.1 | .468 | .362 | .728 | 4.1 | 2.2 | .6 | .4 | 6.1 |
Career | 449 | 162 | 20.4 | .466 | .384 | .759 | 4.6 | 1.8 | .6 | .4 | 7.6 |
Playoffs
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | Minnesota | 5 | 0 | 9.4 | .438 | .517 | .714 | 3.0 | .6 | .6 | .0 | 4.6 |
2021 | Miami | 2 | 0 | 15.0 | .455 | .500 | .667 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | .5 | 9.0 |
2022† | Golden State | 15 | 0 | 10.0 | .529 | .375 | .571 | 2.1 | 1.1 | .3 | .1 | 2.9 |
Career | 22 | 0 | 10.3 | .492 | .478 | .650 | 2.3 | 1.0 | .4 | .1 | 3.8 |
EuroLeague
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG | PIR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010–11 | Baskonia | 13 | 2 | 9.0 | .250 | .222 | .500 | 1.7 | .5 | .2 | .0 | 1.2 | 0.5 |
2011–12 | 10 | 5 | 13.9 | .692 | .474 | .750 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 1.3 | .3 | 4.8 | 6.2 | |
2012–13 | 26 | 9 | 23.1 | .459 | .310 | .741 | 4.8 | 1.3 | 1.0 | .3 | 9.9 | 10.1 | |
2013–14 | Fenerbahçe
|
24 | 18 | 25.1 | .474 | .416 | .846 | 6.1 | 2.2 | 1.6 | .4 | 10.4 | 13.6 |
2014–15 | 29 | 20 | 27.8 | .500 | .351 | .684 | 8.5 | 1.9 | 1.3 | .7 | 12.1 | 18.3 | |
2022–23 | 5 | 0 | 8.3 | .455 | .200 | .400 | 2.0 | 1.0 | .4 | .0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | |
Career | 107 | 54 | 21.3 | .563 | .356 | .713 | 5.3 | 1.5 | 1.0 | .2 | 8.7 | 11.2 |
Personal life
Bjelica was brought up in the New Belgrade Blocks.[48] He married in June 2012 and has a daughter.[49]
On 5 February 2024, Bjelica was threatened with scissors in
See also
- List of European basketball players in the United States
- List of KK Crvena zvezda players with 100 games played
- List of Serbian NBA players
References
- ^ "Bjelica za MONDO: Imam glavu plejmejkera". mondo.rs (in Serbian). 20 November 2008. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
- ^ "Nemanja Bjelica". basketballliga.at (in German). Retrieved 27 December 2018.
- ^ "NEMANJA BJELICA ZA TELEGRAF: Da nije bilo Pešića, ostao bih prosečno krilo (VIDEO)". Telegraf.rs (in Serbian). 6 January 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
- NBA.com. 25 June 2010. Retrieved 17 October 2010.
- ^ "Caja Laboral lands Nemanja Bjelica". Euroleague.net. 2 August 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
- ^ "Fenerbahce will sign Nemanja Bjelica to a three-year deal". Sportando.net. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
- ^ "Bjelica kod Obradovića u Feneru". b92.net (in Serbian). 22 July 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
- ^ Preradović, V. "Bjelica: Željko Obradović i ja, nestvarno!". novosti.rs (in Serbian). No. 23 July 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
- ^ "bwin MVP for March: Nemanja Bjelica, Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul". euroleague.net. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
- ^ "All-Euroleague First and Second Teams announced". euroleague.net. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
- ^ "2014-15 bwin MVP: Nemanja Bjelica, Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul". euroleague.net. 14 May 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
- ^ "Fenerbahce for the first time in the Final Four". eurohoops.net. 20 April 2015. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
- ^ "Real Madrid heads to third straight final after beating Fenerbahce". euroleague.net. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
- ^ "CSKA Moscow beats Fenerbahce in third-place game". euroleague.net. 17 May 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
- ^ "Fenerbahce opts out of Nemanja Bjelica's contract". sportando.com. 1 July 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
- ^ "Timberwolves Sign Reigning Euroleague Most Valuable Player Nemanja Bjelica". NBA.com. 14 July 2015. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
- ^ "Wolves edge Lakers 112-111 in first game since Flip's death". NBA.com. 28 October 2015. Archived from the original on 26 October 2015. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ^ "Nemanja Bjelica 2015-16 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
- ^ "Wiggins scores 47 to lead Timberwolves over Lakers, 125-99". ESPN.com. 13 November 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
- ^ "NEMANJA BJELICA INJURY UPDATE". NBA.com. 16 March 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
- ^ "NEMANJA BJELICA INJURY UPDATE". NBA.com. 21 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
- ^ "Timberwolves beat Lakers 121-104 for first Christmas win". ESPN.com. 25 December 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
- ^ "Irving returns to carry Celtics past Timberwolves 117-109". ESPN.com. 8 March 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
- ^ "Kings Sign Nemanja Bjelica". NBA.com. 21 July 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
- ^ "Nemanja Bjelica staying in the U.S. after all, reaches deal with Kings". ESPN.com. 21 July 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
- ^ "Nemanja Bjelica won't sign with 76ers, plans to stay in Europe". ESPN.com. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2018. On 9 December 2019, Bjelica drilled a buzzer beating 3-pointer to lift the Kings to a road win at the Houston Rockets, 119-118. On 13 January 2020, he set career highs with 34 points and 8 3-pointers in a 114-112 loss to the Orlando Magic.
- ^ "HEAT Acquire Nemanja Bjelica". NBA.com. 25 March 2021.
- ^ "Warriors Sign Free Agent Forward Nemanja Bjelica". NBA.com. 6 August 2021.
- ^ "Curry, Warriors stun James, Lakers 121-114 in opener". nba.com. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
- ^ "Skoro savršeno veče Nemanje Bjelice: Dabl-dablom režirao preokret za pobedu u Gradu anđela". mozzartsport.com. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
- ^ "Bjelica zabeležio debi kakav nije viđen 40 godina". mozzartsport.com. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
- ^ @statmuse (14 June 2022). "Register" (Tweet). Retrieved 17 June 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Nemanja Bjelica četvrti Srbin sa NBA prstenom". mozzartsport.com. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
- ^ Nemanja Bjelica sign for Fenerbahçe
- ^ BOMB; Fenerbahçe announced Nemanja Bjelica transfer officially
- ^ a b Askounis, Johnny (12 September 2023). "Nemanja Bjelica parts ways with Fenerbahce and reunites with Crvena Zvezda". eurohoops.net. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
- ^ Nemanja Bjelica otisao iz Crvene zvezde zbog sukoba sa Duskom Ivanovicem
- ^ Askounis, Johnny (23 March 2024). "Nemanja Bjelica calls it a day: "Thank you basketball"". EuroHoops.net. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
- ^ "AMBITIOUS SERBIA UNVEIL POWERFUL 12-MAN SQUAD". eurobasket2015.org. 2 September 2015. Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
- ^ "LITHUANIA END SERBIAN STREAK, RETURN TO FINAL". eurobasket2015.org. Archived from the original on 19 September 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ "FRANCE REWARD HOME SUPPORT WITH BRONZE". eurobasket2015.org. 20 September 2015. Archived from the original on 22 September 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ "Player profile: Nemanja Bjelica". eurobasket2015.org. FIBA Europe. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ Curkovic, Igor (28 August 2019). "FIBA Basketball World Cup Power Rankings, Volume 3". fiba.basketball. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
- ^ "Argentina upsets Olympic silver medalist Serbia in FIBA World Cup quarterfinals". nbcsports.com. 10 September 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
- ^ "Serbia defeats USA in FIBA World Cup consolation round play". nba.com. 12 September 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
- ^ T., P. (14 September 2019). "Bogdanović ponovo briljirao – Srbiji peto mesto u Kini" (in Serbian). Retrieved 14 September 2019.
- ^ sport, TV Arena. "Nemanja Bjelica preuzima direktorsku fotelju Bahčešehira: Turski klub puno očekuje od "profesora"". Arena Sport (in Serbian). Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ "SEDAM KRATKIH PITANJA ZA NEMANJU BJELICU".
- ^ "Crkveno venčanje Mirjane i Nemanje Bjelice". novosti.rs (in Serbian). 22 June 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
- ^ "Nemanja Bjelica threatened with scissors: "I'll take your family"". eurohoops.net. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com
- Nemanja Bjelica at acb.com
- Nemanja Bjelica at euroleague.net
- Nemanja Bjelica at fiba.com
- Nemanja Bjelica at tblstat.net
- Nemanja Bjelica at the Olimpijski Komitet Srbije (former profile) (in Serbian)