By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following the reported reunion with Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet, Nemanja Bjelica was released from his contract with Fenerbahce Beko and officially signed with the team based in Belgrade.
The Istanbul outfit parted ways with the Serbian power forward and Crvena Zvezda confirmed his return on Tuesday.
Bjelica, 35, was keen on moving on from Fener after being told he would not be part of the plan for the 2023-24 season. He has since joined the training camp of his former team.
Dealing with a calf injury, he was limited to eight appearances between the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and Turkiye Sigorta Basketbol Super Ligi over the 2022-23 season. Averaging 2.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game described his efforts.
Bjelica was crowned NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors, before opting to return to the European side of the Atlantic Ocean. Combined with additional stints as a member of the Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings, and Minnesota Timberwolves, he recorded 471 games played in the league based in North America.
Prior to focusing his career on the NBA from 2015 to 2022, the veteran of 109 appearances in Europe’s premier club continental competition spent two seasons with Fenerbahce. He was named MVP of the 2014-15 edition of EuroLeague, before jumping to the NBA.
Caja Laboral / Laboral Kutxa, currently Baskonia, was his home from 2010 to 2013, following a two-year spell with Crvena Zvezda from 2008 to 2010, leading him to be selected with the 35th overall pick of the 2010 NBA draft.