One of the best Croatian basketball players of the 21st century, Bojan Bogdanović, announced the end of his prosperous professional career at the age of 36. He decided, after more than two decades on the courts of Europe and the NBA, and in an emotional message, said goodbye to basketball and his fans.
Reasons for retirement
The key reason for the end of his career was a long-term battle with a foot injury, due to which he underwent two surgeries and tried to return to the court for more than 14 months, but without success.
He officially ended his career as a player of the New York Knicks, for whom he played only four games before another injury. After that, he was without a club, and a return to the court was no longer possible.
Sometimes in life you don’t choose a moment. It chooses you. After 14 months of battling a foot injury, two surgeries and countless attempts to get back on the field, it’s time to close a chapter. After more than two decades spent on the floor, the moment has come to say goodbye to basketball. Not only as a sport, but also a part of yourself. It is difficult to describe in a few sentences what basketball has given me. She shaped me as an athlete, but even more as a person
Career highlights
Born in Mostar, he took his first steps in basketball with Zrinjski, and in 2005, he moved to Real Madrid, where he played for the second team before being loaned to Murcia.
In Cibona, he became one of the key players, and then went on to win the Turkish championship and cup with Fenerbahçe. Chosen as the 31st pick in the 2011 NBA draft, but made his NBA debut in 2014 with the Brooklyn Nets. He played for ten NBA seasons for:
- Brooklyn Nets,
- Washington Wizards,
- Indiana Pacers,
- Utah Jazz,
- Detroit Pistons,
- New York Knicks.
In the NBA, he played 719 games, averaging 15.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, shooting 39.4% from three points.
He made his debut for Croatia in 2010 and has since represented his country in two World Cups, five EuroBasket tournaments, and the 2016 Olympic Games. He was included in the top five of EuroBasket in 2013.
The best Croatian scorer in the NBA league – he set a record for the number of points for a Croatian player in the strongest league in the world.
He was the captain and leader of the national team, and his professionalism and commitment left a deep mark on Croatian and European basketball.
The Croatian Basketball Association and numerous former teammates bid an emotional farewell to Bogdanović, emphasizing his greatness on and off the court.
A career summary
| PERIOD | CLUBS/NATIONAL TEAM | GREATEST SUCCESSES |
|---|---|---|
| 2004.–2009. | Zrinjski, Real Madrid, Murcia | First professional steps |
| 2009.–2011. | Cibona | Team leader, development of talent |
| 2011.–2014. | Fenerbahce | Turkish Champion, Turkish Cup |
| 2014.–2025. | NBA (6 clubs) | 719 games, 15,6 points on average |
| 2010.–2024. | Croatian national team | EuroBasket 2013. – najbolja petorka |
Bojan Bogdanović remains one of the greatest Croatian basketball players of all time, and his contributions to the national team and clubs will continue to inspire future generations.
