It’s been a long time coming for Vasilije Micic in joining the NBA.
Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the No. 52 overall pick back in 2014, Micic was thought of then only as a draft and stash. But he quickly rose through the ranks overseas, eventually becoming one of the better players in all of Europe.
In his time in the EuroLeague, Micic became a two-time champion, a two-time Final Four MVP and even the league MVP in one season, effectively cementing himself as a legend in those ranks. Even more, he became a three-time Turkish champion and Turkish Finals MVP as well.
Suffice to say, there came a point where Micic was highly coveted in the NBA. But it took nearly nine years to get a deal done due to various circumstances. Micic said on Monday's Thunder Media Day that he never talked to the 76ers about joining the NBA. But after his draft rights were acquired by the Thunder in what would become known as the Al Hereford trade, the deal was on the table.
Two (or three) deal negotiations with OKC later, and Micic is finally set to play his rookie season at 29-years-old.
“Honestly this was last summer I was looking for NBA because I felt like I’m 29 years old, and still I feel very excited about basketball and enthusiastic.” Micic said. “But after this summer I would not think obviously to consider NBA because I felt like reaching out the highest level in Europe is very hard, too —But I’m very happy that this finally happened because I’ve been honestly working for nine years to reach NBA, so I think it was worth it.”
At 6-foot-5, Micic is a smooth point guard with a knack for passing and playmaking, shooting and all the fundamental skills that typically make European stars just that. Now, he’s looking to showcase those very same skills on a young and up-and-coming Thunder squad.
“But I feel like somehow I’ve got to challenge myself once again, and I feel like that I said to the coach, too, I can be maybe this year the most excited guy on the court even though I’m older than that.” Micic said.
“But with the conditions that they gave me and with the respect they gave me so far from Thunder, I feel like it’s more than enough for me to come and challenge myself.”
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