HOT: Bojan Bogdanovic Retires from Basketball

Veteran Croatian forward Bojan Bogdanovic, one of Europe’s most respected scorers, has officially retired from professional basketball. The decision comes after a prolonged battle with a foot injury, concluding a remarkable career that spanned over two decades, including a significant tenure in the NBA.

Bojan Bogdanovic Announces Retirement After Two Decades in Basketball

One of Europe’s most respected scorers of the modern era, Bojan Bogdanovic, has officially announced his retirement from professional basketball. The Croatian forward shared an emotional farewell on Instagram, concluding a remarkable career that spanned over two decades, from his beginnings in Mostar to his time in the NBA.

“Sometimes in life, you don’t choose the moment. The moment chooses you,” Bogdanovic wrote.

The 36-year-old made the decision after a 14-month battle with a foot injury that required two surgeries. “After 14 months of battling a foot injury, two surgeries, and countless efforts to get back on the court, the time has come to close a chapter,” he explained.

Bojan Bogdanovic leaves professional basketball with an impressive NBA résumé, spanning 719 games. Throughout his career, he averaged 15.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, showcasing his consistent scoring ability. Renowned for his smooth shooting stroke, Bogdanovic maintained a career field goal percentage of 46.0% and an excellent 39.4% from beyond the arc.

His NBA journey saw him play for six different franchises: the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons, and most recently, the New York Knicks.

As Bogdanovic reflected, “The NBA brought a whole new level of challenge and experience. I had the honor of wearing the jerseys of the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons and finally the New York Knicks. Every stop left a mark. Every jersey carried its own weight.”

A testament to his enduring skill, Bogdanovic achieved a career-high average of 21.6 points per game for the Pistons during the 2022–23 season, proving his continued value as a primary scorer late in his career.

For Bogdanovic, however, basketball was more than just statistics. He emphasized, “After more than two decades in the game, the moment has arrived to say goodbye to basketball. Not just as a sport, but as a part of who I am.”

A Storied Career Beyond the NBA

Bogdanovic’s basketball journey began in his hometown of Mostar, extending through European basketball giants like Real Madrid, Cibona, and Fenerbahce. During his time with Fenerbahce, he notably won the Turkish League and reached the EuroLeague Final Four.

“From my childhood in Mostar and my early steps in football and water polo, this journey has been anything but ordinary,” he reflected. “I’ve had the privilege of playing for clubs that left their mark on both European and NBA basketball. From Mostar and Zrinjski, to Real Madrid and Murcia, then to Cibona and Fenerbahce, I wore every jersey with pride.”

Pride in Representing Croatia

On the international stage, Bogdanovic was a cornerstone of the Croatian national team, representing his country from youth levels up to the senior squad.

He emphasized the deep significance of this experience: “Above all, I had the honor of wearing the Croatian crest on my chest. Playing for the national team was never just a responsibility. It was pride, emotion and identity. Representing my country from youth levels all the way to the senior team was the greatest honor of my career.”

Bogdanovic concluded his emotional farewell by expressing profound gratitude and love for the game, his teammates, and especially his family.

“Thank you to all the coaches, teammates, medical staff, fans, and clubs who were part of this journey in any way,” he wrote. He reserved a special note of appreciation for his closest supporters: “A special thank you to my family. You were the foundation through every high and every doubt.”

Reflecting on his departure from the court, Bogdanovic shared, “I’m closing this chapter, but my love for the game remains. I didn’t reach the end. I’ve reached the other side of the beginning…”

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