SRB - Bodiroga calls time on wonderful career

ROME (National team) - International basketball great Dejan Bodiroga drew the curtains on his magnificent career on Monday.

At a noon press conference in Rome, the 34-year-old confirmed this season with Lottomatica Roma had been his last.

"It has been a difficult choice, but I have thought a lot about it," Bodiroga said.

"I am calm and proud of what I have achieved in my career."

His achievements were many.

Bodiroga, who was drafted 51st overall in the NBA Draft in 1995 by the Sacramento Kings but elected to spend his entire career in Europe, was voted MVP of Yugoslavia's gold-medal winning team at the 1998 FIBA World Championship.

His team, coached by Zeljko Obradovic, beat hosts Greece in the semi-final and Russia in the final.

Four years and a handful of titles later with Panathinaikos and Yugoslavia, Bodiroga made the all-tournament team at the FIBA World Championship in Indianapolis.

That Blues team upset an NBA-star laden United States side in the quarter-finals and edged Argentina in an overtime thriller in the gold medal game.

The following season, Bodiroga moved to Barcelona and led the Catalan giants to a Copa del Rey, Euroleague and ACB treble.

Bodiroga spent his last two years with Lottomatica Roma, playing for them in this year's Euroleague and helping them qualify for next year's competition.

While he never joined Vlade Divac, Peja Stojakovic and many of his other compatriots in the NBA, Bodiroga made a lasting impression in the game in Europe.

"I have no regrets," he said.

Bodiroga played his final game with Lottomatica Roma last Thursday in the Italian Lega A play-offs against Montepaschi Siena - a game Mens Sana won 70-49 to clinch a 3-1 series victory in the semi-finals.

He will remain involved in the game, but not on the sidelines.

"I will be an executive either in Belgrade or in Rome but I will not be a coach," he said.

Cindy Garcia-Bennett
FIBA