Jan Vesely (36) will not only leave Barcelona this summer but also retire from professional basketball altogether. The Czech center announced his decision on Tuesday, May 12, informing his teammates first and urging them to finish the season strongly by winning the Liga Endesa title.
Vesely, who has missed the last two games due to acute pain in his right knee, is uncertain when he can return to the court. However, he hopes to play again before the season ends and contribute in the playoffs.
A stellar career
Vesely joined Barcelona in the summer of 2022 and has played 264 games for the club, winning only one official title — the 2023 Liga Endesa championship. His career began in his native Czech Republic with Pribor and BK Snakes Ostrava, then continued in Slovenia with Geoplin Slovan. In 2008, he shone at Partizan and entered the NBA as the sixth overall pick in the 2011 draft.
After playing for the Washington Wizards and Denver Nuggets in 162 NBA games, he returned to Europe to sign with Fenerbahçe, where he won the 2017 EuroLeague title and was named EuroLeague MVP two years later.
“Vesely is respected across European elite basketball for his commitment on the court and his evolution over 15 EuroLeague seasons. He has played 414 games and will retire as the player with the most two-point field goals in competition history (1,701),” Barcelona highlighted in their official retirement announcement.
“He also ranks among the top performers in several statistical categories: fourth in efficiency rating (5,481), sixth in points (4,359), third in rebounds (1,906), and third in steals (403),” the club added.
Topics: Basketball, EuroLeague, Liga Endesa, Jan Vesely, Barcelona