MINNEAPOLIS (Jeff Taylor's Eurovision) - He's a Euroleague MVP.

He's a linchpin in Serbia's national team. He's also, at 27 years of age, old enough to have a lot of experience but young enough to have plenty of good years ahead.

He's Nemanja Bjelica, the 'rookie' forward of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

And if you're wondering about his state of mind as he launches his career overseas, there's no need to worry.

"I'm ready for the NBA," he said.

"I'm a rookie, but I'm not."

In the old, pre-internet days, Bjelica would have been a great unknown for Minnesota fans.

But anyone can watch a Serbia national team game or a Euroleague contest these days.

Those who saw Bjelica on cable television in the United States during EuroBasket 2015 had plenty of cause for excitement.

He started by scoring 24 points in an 80-70 win over Spain in Berlin on opening day.

The 2.09m forward also had four assists and a team-high 10 rebounds.

There would have been plenty of oohs and aahs the next day, too, when Bjelica hit a game-winning shot with less than a second remaining for a 68-66 win over Germany.

Bjelica was actually introduced to the Minnesota media back in 2010 after he was drafted in the second round.

"I was thinking to come immediately but sometimes, things don't go well like you want," he said.

"But now, after five years, things went better."

Things have certainly gone well for Bjelica since his selection by the T-Wolves.

He got a little extra seasoning by staying in Europe.

Spain coach Sergio Scariolo remembers Bjelica as a teenager.

"When he was 18, everybody was expecting a lot of him, immediately," Scariolo said.

"But players take time to develop."

As good as Bjelica was at EuroBasket 2015, he didn't prevent Serbia from falling 67-64 to Lithuania in their Semi-Final on 18 September.

After that game, Bjelica felt awful.

He is now a fantastic player and he is very tough to defend, he can shoot the ball from far or put it to the floor and drive. - Scariolo

Everyone in his team did.

The loss not only kept Serbia out of the Final, but kept them from taking a direct ticket to the Rio de Janeiro Games.

Now, Serbia will have to go to a FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

The loss to the Lithuanians still hurts, but Bjelica is recovering quickly.

"The way how we finished the EuroBasket, it was very tough for us because the Semi-Final, if we'd won, we would have gone straight to Rio and had a silver medal for sure," he said.

"But we lost, they (Lithuania) deserved it.

"Now I'm good."

Bjelica is turning the page.

He's in the NBA.

The Belgrade native knows everything, especially playing time, will have to be earned in Minnesota.

The Timberwolves have a roster loaded with quality players.

He needs to show up for practice each and every day prepared to battle.

"Everybody deserves to play here, so it will be a big challenge for me," he said.

"I will try to help somehow because I need to learn many things in the U.S.

"I think I have some kind of experience in Europe and will try to use that."

Bjelica is right now just getting used to his new surrounds.

"I still cannot believe that I will play with Kevin Garnett," he said.

If you ask which player Bjelica wants to be like in the NBA, he'll answer: "I just want to be me.

"I want to be Nemanja Bjelica.

"I am ready to learn, I can shoot, I like to play pick-and-roll, and I like to create for others and myself.

"I feel comfortable with the ball, also (go) coast to coast.

"I like to create for my teammates. I think I'm good at that. Here is bigger space and we're going to see.

"I want to be Nemanja Bjelica."

And as long as he remains Nemanja Bjelica, the hard working Bjelica who has grown in stature the past few years, all should go well for a hugely talented player.

Jeff Taylor

FIBA

FIBA's columnists write on a wide range of topics relating to basketball that are of interest to them. The opinions they express are their own and in no way reflect those of FIBA.

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