Nikola Mirotic announces his retirement from the Spanish national team / News - Basketnews.com

Nikola Mirotic told that he had a talk with Spanish Basketball Federation's president Jorge Garbajosa and confirmed him that he's not going to return to the national team, clearing the way for the organization to acquire Lorenzo Brown as the naturalized player of the roster.

Credit: Fotodiena.lt/E. Blaževičius Credit Fotodiena.lt/E. Blaževičius

Nikola Mirotic has played in two major international tournaments for the Spanish national team, capturing gold in EuroBasket 2015 and bronze in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. The FC Barcelona star has now announced that these were the only two tournaments in his national team career.

Nikola Mirotic

Team:FC BarcelonaPosition:PFAge:31Height:208 cmWeight:102 kgBirth place:Podgorica, MontenegroProfileNewsStatistics

The Montenegrin star confirmed to Mundo Deportivo that he is not going to return to the Spanish national team.

"I don't think so because I haven't played with them for many years, I've focused a lot on giving my all to the club I'm at. Then in summer, I have many personal things, family, my businesses. And I am at an age, especially after having the injury and everything, in which I don't see myself returning with the national team," Mirotic explained.

The final decision came last summer after a conversation with the Spanish Basketball Federation's president Jorge Garbajosa, Barca's forward told. Having been born in a foreign country, Mirotic would have to take the only naturalized player's spot on the roster if he decided to return.

"I spoke with Jorge Garbajosa before Lorenzo Brown was acquired [as a naturalized player] and he asked me if I was going to come back or not. He wanted to confirm that I was not going to return and that's why they went for another player," Mirotic explained.

"It was a great success, look how it went, they won the EuroBasket, showing once again that they are the best team and that the way they prepare is incredible," he said. "I am thankful for what they have done for me, for the opportunity I had to play twice with the senior team, a EuroBasket title, and a bronze medal in the Olympic Games."

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