Nikola Mirotic responds to rumors church caused his Partizan denial / News - Basketnews.com

Mirotic said that he hasn't met the Patriarch Porfirije, denying rumors that the Orthodox Church influenced his sudden change of mind to not sign a deal with Partizan.

Credit: Fabrizio Carabelli/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire - Scanpix Credit Fabrizio Carabelli/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire - Scanpix

Nikola Mirotic had supposedly agreed to a contract with Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade this past offseason. Then, he suddenly changed his mind and signed with EA7 Emporio Armani Milan later on.

Nikola Mirotic

Team:EA7 Emporio Armani MilanPosition:PFAge:32Height:208 cmWeight:102 kgBirth place:Podgorica, MontenegroProfileNewsStatistics

Partizan released a fiery statement, saying that the player was incorrect in his Instagram post, where he said that the threats he received were the main reason why he did not sign with the club.

As the weeks and months went on, rumors started spreading that the Serbian Orthodox Church was at least in part responsible for Mirotic's sudden change of mind.

Before Round 6 of the EuroLeague, Mirotic decided to address the rumor.

"Wanting to debunk the slander that seeks to harm our Holy Church and its Patriarch, I have the need to state that I have not yet had the honor to meet His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije nor to communicate with him, directly or indirectly," Mirotic wrote in a post on Instagram. "I hope my wish to meet him in person and get his blessing will come true in the near future."

Milan has been struggling in the EuroLeague this season, winning just one game in the first five rounds.

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