Shane Larkin: “Micic is happy where he is but open to opportunities”

By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net

Anadolu Efes star Shane Larkin touched on Phoenix Suns guard and former teammate Vasilije Micic regarding the rumors involing the latter’s potential return to the EuroLeague next season.

“Me and Vasa talk all the time. He’s one of my good friends,” Larkin said per Meridian Sports. “Obviously we have a lot of history together. And, you know, he’s happy where he’s at, but he’s definitely open to opportunities.”

Micic hasn’t ruled out coming back to the EuroLeague, possibly this summer. He’s been linked to multiple clubs like Panathinaikos Athens, Crvena Zvezda, Hapoel Tel Aviv and Efes.

Larkin and Micic played together at Efes from 2018 to 2023. They formed one of the most powerful guard duos ever in the EuroLeague and guided the team to the back-to-back championship titles of 2021 and 2022.

When Micic left Efes in 2023 to sign his first NBA contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, he’d also won the top individual distinctions in the EuroLeague, being named season MVP in 2021, along with Final Four MVP in 2021 and 2022.

“I’m sure he’ll make the best decision for himself, but I’m sure a lot of people over here in Europe are missing him and his game, because when he’s over here, he’s one of the best players,” Larkin added. “I’ll see him soon, obviously, and we’ll see what he does.”

Larkin talked about Micic after one of the biggest Efes’ wins of the season. The Turkish side had just routed Partizan Belgrade 97 – 65 on the road to make another step toward securing a postseason spot.

“At least we don’t have that many injury problems,” said Larkin, himself having missed 11 games in the EuroLeague regular season. He posted 11 points, four rebounds and three steals in the win over Partizan. “It took us a little while to find the chemistry with the new coach. But now everything seems positive and we are going in the right direction. However, we don’t have time to rest because now every game is a playoff match, extremely important. We have to stay focused, but we are definitely happy with the results we have achieved in the last few weeks.”