SKOPJE – The long and storied career of Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia legend Vlado Ilievski has come to an end, with the 37-year-old playmaker announcing his decision to step away from professional basketball.

Having made a name for himself as a high-minded and trustworthy floor general during the course of his playing days, Ilievski calls it a day as one of the most respected European players of his generation.

"The highlight of my career is certainly what we've achieved with the national team over the years. It's something that will forever remain recorded in history and no one can ever dispute."Vlado IlievskiVlado Ilievski

"I can say with 99.9% certainty that I will no longer play basketball going forward," the player revealed in an interview to Ekipa.mk. "I'm not making this decision because my body can't handle it, neither because I've lost my desire for basketball. Basketball still gives me great pleasure, but I think the right time has come after years of being separated from my family."

A long-time national team member, Ilievski guided the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to unseen heights in European basketball, culminating in a fourth-place finish at the FIBA EuroBasket 2011.

Ilievski handed FIBA EuroBasket 2011 hosts Lithuania the upset of the tournament in the Quarter-Finals

"The highlight of my career is certainly what we've achieved with the national team over the years. It's something that will forever remain in the history books and no one can ever dispute," said the veteran, reflecting on his career.

Although the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia side have not been able to replicate their FIBA EuroBasket 2011 success, Ilievski, who has been part of the national team program since 1999, says it is all part of the game."To be honest, we shouldn't be looking at this as a huge disappointment. In every sphere of life, there are ups and downs and it's normal to see some regression after the successes we had," he shrugged.

Having started his professional career with Nemtali Ograzden in his hometown of Strumica in 1997, the playmaker enjoyed successful spells across Europe with the likes of Partizan Belgrade, Olimpija Ljubljana, FC Barcelona, Montepaschi Siena, Tau Ceramica and Cibona Zagreb during the course of his 20-year-long professional career.

In spite of championship titles from Adriatic, Czech, Italian, Slovenian and Spanish leagues to his name, Ilievski wouldn't be true to himself if he did not remain the perfectionist he has always been on the court: "It may sound immodest or strange, but I honestly believe that I could have achieved more in my career. I am proud of everything I have accomplished over the years, but I believe I could have done even more."

Ilievski made his senior national team debut in 1999 and represented the country for 16 years

After ending his international career after the FIBA EuroBasket 2015 campaign, the veteran guard got a couple more seasons under his belt at club level, with the last one coming with Rabotnicki Skopje back in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Although Ilievski couldn't add the much prized domestic league title to his trophy cabinet, the decision to return home and play in front of his family was one he would repeat a hundred times over.

"I think the decision was absolutely the correct move. I wanted to play at least one season back in Macedonia. After 20 years out playing abroad, I was happy to return home. Not only from the perspective of sports, but also to be close to family and friends that I have at home. It's a move behind which I stand firmly and would do it again," Ilievski concluded, with his head held high.

FIBA