By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Moving to the NBA late in the 2020-21 season and staying until the end of the 2021-22 season, Luca Vildoza was limited to seven brief appearances with the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2022 Playoffs.
Vildoza, 27, was slowed down by an injury prematurely ending his stint at the New York Knicks. After appearing in the 2021 Summer League, he was waived and underwent surgery on his right foot. Recovering and then shifting to Milwaukee, he joined the Bucks last April, ahead of the postseason. Moving into the 2022-23 season, the Argentine sharpshooter opted to depart from the NBA and sign a two-year contract with Crvena Zvezda mts.
“I did not get the chance I hoped for in the NBA, but I am here to show that I can play at this level,” he told Mozzart Sport upon landing in Belgrade Sunday evening, “I am excited to be here, Zvezda is a big club.”
“My time in the NBA helped me tremendously,” he added, “I feel better physically and stronger. All I need to do is restore competitive rhythm. It will be difficult over the first practices and games, but I am looking forward to the challenge.”
As a member of Kirolbet/TD Systems Baskonia, Vildoza evolved into a veteran of 106 games in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. His previous EuroLeague team officially contested his move to the Belgrade outfit citing holding his rights in Europe and thus demanding compensation.
The Quilmes-born combo guard played for Baskonia from the 2017-18 season until the jump to the NBA in May 2021.
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