By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Opening the NBA part of his career, Vasilije Micic seemed more than eager to display his talents with the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, there was an approaching deadline.
“This was last summer I was looking for NBA,” the experienced Serbian combo guard revealed Monday.
“I feel very excited about basketball and enthusiastic,” he described his approach to the next challenge.
Micic, 29, was named Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four MVP in 2021 and 2022, leading Anadolu Efes to back-to-back championships. Numerous accolades extend to the 2020-21 season MVP award and the Alphonso Ford EuroLeague Top Scorer Trophy in 2021-22.
“I felt like reaching the highest level in Europe is very hard, too. Staying there and being able to play on that level is a very, very difficult thing,” explained Micic, “I was very happy there, too.”
“But I’m very happy that this finally happened because I’ve been honestly working for nine years to reach the NBA, so I think it was worth it,” he added.
Placed in a young squad, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Aleksej Pokusevski, Micic can complement the team with experience from top-notch action in Europe. “I wanted to come somewhere that someone knows me and someone really wanted me, and this is what happened this summer,” he mentioned.
“I didn’t know him personally, but I know how good of a player he is. He is an MVP,” said fellow Serbian Pokusevski, “I am happy to have him here, someone I can speak to in my native language.”
Micic officially joined the Thunder in July. He was drafted in 2014, originally selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 52nd pick.