By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
I can’t be sure of Bogdan Bogdanovic’s musical tastes and he doesn’t really strike me as a punk rock fan, but if there’s one song currently humming in his mind these weeks, then that’s probably “Should I stay or should I Go” by The Clash.
On one hand, he’s been receiving tons of adoration by Fenerbahce fans that ask him to stay in their favorite team and become a part of the legacy that the franchise wants to build after winning the first EuroLeague title in the history of the club in May. There’s the whole megillah: Hashtags (#StaywithUsBogdan f.e.) and countless messages in every social media platform. Also a video has emerged and currently going insanely viral where even fans of other teams (Besiktas, Galatasaray) appear and say that they want him to remain in Istanbul.
This is pretty much crazy and completely unheard of, since Galatasaray is the arch-rival of Fenerbahce and there are no sweet feelings with Besiktas fans either.
It will surely need more than this love storm by fans to silence the sweet, seducing sirens’ song of the NBA buzzing around his ears. And don’t forget that a call that comes from no other than Vlade Divac, the Sacramento Kings GM, carries a special gravity for a Serbian player.
The truth is that all signs and odds point towards him donning the Kings jersey in the upcoming season. The 24-year-old player has won everything there is to win in Europe, shined like the brightest star on several occasions and crucial matches, has been an ultra decisive factor for his team reaching its goals and there aren’t any challenges left for him here.
Still, he says he remains undecided.
Bogdanovic is currently in his hometown of Belgrade where the”Bogdan Bogdanovic Basketball Camp” is going to be held on 26 and 27 of June . While speaking in a press-conference ahead of the opening he was, naturally, asked whether the foreseeable future will find him in this continent or on the other side of the Atlantic ocean.
“When I went to Fenerbahce I went with hopes that one day I would be in the NBA. I haven’t decided yet,” the Serbian guard said. “Maybe I’ll leave in one year. Maybe in five. It depends on many factors. I want to leave for the NBA when the moment is the most beautiful. Like when I left Partizan”.
These latter words are another indicator that he’s leaning towards the NBA. This season has been the best in the history of Fenerbahce and his personal career so far and it ended with him winning MVP in the Turkish League finals after leading his squad to a sweep over Besiktas.
It can’t get “more beautiful” than that.
“They (Sacramento Kings) want me to come. I want to but I haven’t decided yet. I will negotiate after July 1st. I gave my 300% to Fener. I have nothing to regret if I go to the NBA,” he added.
Bogdanovic finished the season averaging 14.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists in EuroLeague. He was named in the All-First team of the competition, despite missing most of the first leg of the regular season due to an ankle injury.