Despite receiving strong interest from NBA franchises, Sergio Llull never made the leap across the Atlantic—and now he’s explained why.
The veteran guard, who just signed an extension with Real Madrid through the 2025–26 season, reflected on his decision to stay in Europe during a recent interview.
Llull cited the underwhelming NBA stints of fellow European stars like Juan Carlos Navarro, Vassilis Spanoulis, and Milos Teodosic as key factors in his thinking.
“These guys had more talent than me and didn’t find success there,” Llull said in an interview on TIMEOUT – Canal de Baloncesto FEB, via HoopsHype. “Some weren’t given minutes, some came back quickly—it made me wonder what would happen to me.”
The 37-year-old acknowledged that the trust and role he enjoyed with Real Madrid played a major role in his choice to stay.
“I was winning, playing well, and had the coach’s confidence,” he added. “What I wanted most was to win.”
Llull was drafted in 2009 by the Denver Nuggets, with his rights later traded to the Houston Rockets, but he never signed an NBA deal.
Over 18 EuroLeague seasons, he’s played 447 games and scored over 4,200 points while leading Real Madrid to three EuroLeague titles and nine ACB championships.
His accolades include the 2017 EuroLeague MVP, three Copa del Rey MVPs, and selection to the EuroLeague 2010–20 All-Decade Team.
In his remarks, Llull also referenced Ricky Rubio’s recent comments about the expectation for European players to go to the NBA.
“Rubio said it’s what people assume you have to do next,” Llull said. “But at what cost? The decision should be about where you’re happiest.”
He emphasized that choosing not to go to the NBA wasn’t about fear or pressure—it was about long-term fulfillment and career satisfaction.
“You can’t go—or not go—because of what others will say,” he said. “You have to think about where you’ll be better and happier.”
With his new contract in place, Llull is set to continue his legacy in Madrid, where he remains the EuroLeague’s all-time leader in games played and three-pointers made.
