Tornike Shengelia recounts Bulls jersey story, reveals why he didn't return to the NBA / News - Basketnews.com

Tornike Shengelia described how he ended up with the jersey No.7 at the Chicago Bulls and explained why he chose not to return to the NBA despite being given the chance.

Credit: Simone Lucarelli/SIPA - Scanpix Credit Simone Lucarelli/SIPA - Scanpix

In January 2014, the Chicago Bulls announced the signing of Tornike Shengelia from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for guard Marquis Teague.

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Shengelia had appeared in 17 games for the Nets that season, and averaged 1.5 ppg in 8.1 mpg.

He was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round (54th overall) in the 2012 NBA Draft (his draft rights were traded by the 76ers to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for cash considerations).

Shengelia suited up for Chicago in a total of five outings, averaging 0.8 points and 0.4 assists in only 2.4 minutes in the process. When his NBA stint was cut short, he returned to Europe for Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Asked by Sportal.gr's Achilleas Mavrodontis whether he actually asked for the jersey with the No.23 while in Chicago, Shengelia essentially confirmed the story.

"They called me before the trade and we talked about how they see me, what they liked about me and what they wanted me to change in my game," he recalled.

"And at the end of the conversation they asked me what number I would like. I was joking and told them I wanted No. 23. They said, 'OK, no problem.' We hung up the phone and I was wondering what was going on," he continued.

"After 30 seconds, they called me and said 'Don't get us fired, pick a different number'. And I chose number 7."

Shengelia was barely 23 when he played his last NBA game. He went on to become a star player in Europe, but never returned to the world's top league, even though he had the chance to do so.

"There were many opportunities after my first years in Baskonia," he said.

"I developed a lot as a player, I matured and there were many opportunities almost every summer. But when I looked at the rosters of the teams that were interested, I didn't see myself playing a lot.

And for me to give up what I was already building in Europe and enter an uncertain situation, where I wouldn't know if I was playing or not, didn't work at the time," he admitted.

"I chose this path and I am happy about it."

Full interview:

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