Nikola Mirotić’s towering presence puts him in the ranks of veteran European soccer players like Peter Crouch, only taller. Were it not for the intervention of his family, he may just have been a football great today. However, they believed his height would be better suited for a career in the NBA, and today, the rest is history.
Mirotić plies his trade as a power forward for the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans. However, his story begins from within the shores of Europe. The professional basketball star was something of a sensation back in his time with the Liga ACB teams Real Madrid and Palencia, earning himself All-EuroLeague Second-team honors on two consecutive occasions.
Nikola Mirotić’s Bio
Born in Yugoslavia on February 11, 1991, the Montenegrin-Spanish naturally wanted nothing to do with any other sport besides European football or soccer as it is known in America. However, at the age of 13, he was introduced to basketball by his grandfather and signed his first contract, a junior contract with Real Madrid the following year, in 2005, after he had turned 14.
Mirotić started out like any other budding youngster and soon got his chance when he signed for Real Madrid’s senior team in 2008. He staked his claim with a stellar performance in the 2010-2011 Euroleague season, earning himself the EuroLeague Rising Star award and a five-year contract extension. He also helped his team to clinch the Spanish Supercup and the Spanish King’s Cup the following season and was named to the All-EuroLeague Second Team for the next two seasons after that.
Pro Career
At the 2011 NBA Draft, Nikola Mirotić was picked 27th overall by the Houston Rockets. They traded him to the Minnesota Timberwolves who passed him on to the Chicago Bulls all in the same night.
Although he ended the 2011 draft as a Chicago Bulls’ selection, he only signed a contract with the NBA franchise on July 18, 2014. He had a memorable December in the same year and was named Rookie of the Month for his efforts. The forward experienced growing responsibilities as the season progressed and by the end of his rookie campaign he had an average of 10.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in a total of 82 appearances, having recorded a career-high 29 points against the Los Angeles Clippers on March 1, 2015.
The next season, he became a starter for the Bulls and started 18 straight games. He had two playing breaks in that season, first in December when he came off the bench for a few weeks and again on January 27, when he was sidelined due to an acute appendicitis diagnosis that kept him out for 16 games. Nikola did manage, however, did manage to hit a career-high 7 assists and 35 points, with each coming in separate games.
Nikola Mirotić signed an improved contract with the Bulls on September 25, 2017, ahead of the 2017-2018 season. His start to the season was delayed in part due to a bust-up with teammate Bobby Portis. The altercation earned him a trip to the hospital, a concussion, and a few fractures to his face. He would return to active duty in a win over the Charlotte Hornets on December 8, 2017. In the game, he recorded 6 points in 14 minutes of playing time.
A player swap deal on February 1, 2018, saw Nikola Mirotić move to the New Orleans Pelicans. In his debut for the team, he posted 18 points although the Pelicans went on to lose the game.
Mirotić has also represented the Spanish national side at the U20 level. Here, at the 2010 FIBA European U20 Championship, he led his team to a third-place finish while securing a place in the All-Tournament Team. The following year, he led his country to the gold medal and was the top scorer and MVP for the 2011 edition of the tournament.
He also won a gold medal with the senior Spanish basketball team at the EuroBasket 2015. Nikola also represented his country again the following year at the 2016 Summer Olympics where he was a bronze medal recipient.
Family – Who is Nikola Mirotić’s Wife, Kids?
Mirotić owes his family life to the strong bond with his former coach and mentor, Jadran Vujačić. Mirotić is married to Jadran’s daughter Nina Vujačić. It is not clear how long they dated. However, Nikola and Nina tied the knot in June 2012. Almost a year later, in May 2013, the couple welcomed their first child, a boy named Aleksandar Mirotić.
Height, Weight, and Body Measurements
The power forward’s height and size are perfect for the game of basketball. Nikola stands at a massive height of 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 m), making him undoubtedly one of the tallest players in the league. He also maintains a weight of 108 kg (238 lbs). There is no other verifiable information available about any other of his body measurements.
