Career: Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia-Division 1A, 1997-98), Virtus Bologna (Italy-Lega, 1998-99), Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA, 2000-03), San Antonio Spurs (NBA, 2003-06), Toronto Raptors (NBA, 2006-07). Selected in the first round of the 1998 NBA draft (#17), by the Minnesota Timberwolves
Though there were many Slovenian players who announced that they would not be playing at EuroBasket 2007, Radoslav Nesterovic’s status was never in doubt. This is good news for Slovenian fans, because Rašo (pronounce: "Ra-sho") as he is known amongst friends and fans, had a solid season in the NBA. After he fell out of favour with San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, Nesterovic moved to the Toronto Raptors before last season where he played for a “European oriented” team that also featured José Calderon, Jorge Garbajosa, Andrea Bargnani and Uroš Slokar. The move paid dividends as he was almost as successful as in the beginning of his career with the Timberwolves and Spurs and helped the franchise to get back to the playoffs. In Slovenia, Nesterovič is well known because he is the highest paid Slovenian athlete. He is currently under a six-year, $ 42 million contract. Nesterovic and Beno Udrih are the only Slovenian players to win an NBA Championship. |