Vasilije Micic: 'I am still thinking about the NBA' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Credit Aykut Akici/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Credit Aykut Akici/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

A few weeks after the EuroLeague Final Four, Vasilije Micic visited the Greek island of Syros to join the Stoiximan AegeanBall Festival 2022, whose heart and soul is no other than retired Olympiacos Piraeus legend Giorgos Printezis.

Vasilije Micic

Team:Anadolu Efes IstanbulPosition:PG, SGAge:28Height:195 cmWeight:92 kgBirth place:Kraljevo, SerbiaProfileNewsStatistics

On Sunday night, the Serbian star of Anadolu Efes Istanbul told Greek media that he is more ready than ever to move to the NBA, from which he is now waiting for the right call.

"Printezis invited me and that's a good sign. I'm happy to be here and to be a part of all this," started Micic.

The Serbian guard made the game-winning, buzzer-beating three-point shot against Olympiacos Piraeus in the EuroLeague semifinal in Belgrade, in what has been called as the biggest shot in his career. Printezis was present, representing the Greek team in his career-last Final Four, but Olympiacos forward Sasha Vezenkov was the player who guarded the reigning EuroLeague MVP in that last play.

In fact, during the AegeanBall Festival final day, Micic hit another long-distance shot over Vezenkov, who was quick to hug his opponent this time around.

"Of course, we are friends, in basketball sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. I hope he rests and enjoys life after this huge career he's had. I'm sad Printezis finished his career like that, but he made other people sad in previous years. That's the beauty of basketball and I hope he will forgive me for that."

Talking about Vezenkov and the aftermath of the Serbian's famous last play, Micic revealed on COSMOTE TV that he's had several talks with the Bulgarian forward.

"I asked him today, "Why did you switch on me? You should have put Walkup instead." It's our inside joke. We're friends for many years. Sometimes you miss, sometimes you make those shots. I think he'll make many shots like that in the future.

Vasilije Micic

MIN:30.18PTS:18.21 (56%)REB:2.71As:4.65ST:1.09BL:0.03TO:2.88GM:34ProfileEuroLeague2021/2022

I'm coming from Serbia and I know what sports means for Greek and Turkish people. We're passionate people who love basketball."

Micic averaged 18.2 points, 4.6 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 17.5 PIR over 34 EuroLeague games this past season. The guard was the top scorer in the tournament. In addition, he became the EuroLeague Final Four MVP and won his second consecutive EuroLeague title.

The 28-year-old Anadolu Efes guard recalled that when he first joined the Turkish club in 2018, he "didn't come as a superstar or as a main guy, but as one of the important pieces. I was there to help. I'm happy because now people are talking about Efes in a positive way. It means a lot for me."

The 28-year-old was drafted by thePhiladelphia 76erswith the 52nd overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, but his rights were traded to theOklahoma City Thunderin 2020. Rumors about him joining the Sixers or the Thunder have been surfacing every summer since 2020. This period is no exception.

"I'm still thinking about the NBA, this season I feel more ready to go there, if it happens it will happen," Micic explained to sport24.gr. "Some things have to happen for me to go there. I'm enjoying the moment and if that doesn't happen, I'll be very happy to stay with Anadolu Efes."

Talking to COSMOTE TV, Micic expressed his unquenchable desire to go overseas.

"This year, I'm really willing to go there. I'm really in peace with myself about making that decision. Last summer, I wasn't mentally ready because I wanted to stay in Europe for one more year.

Maybe, I was ready last year too, but now I feel more prepared to go there. There's still some time left on my contract to make my decision. Whatever happens, I'm enjoying the moment," he explained.

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