After weeks of speculation and teams such as the Utah Jazz and Chicago Bulls being thrown around as possible destinations, Milos Teodosic is Hollywood-bound.
And CSKA Moscow, Teodosic’s now-former club have officially said their goodbyes as the Serbian guard prepares to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers.
In a lengthy statement, CSKA president Andrey Vatutin said goodbye to Milos Teodosic, the player that realised a dream and won a EuroLeague title, but also said farewell to his close friend.
“Milos received EuroLeague MVP award before joining our team but in my opinion he became the best player in Europe here with us. We were lucky to enjoy his skills for 6 years. He is truly a genius of the game, the person who was always unpredictable on the floor – for the fans, opponents, sometimes even for his teammates and coaches,” Vatutin said in his statement.
“Still he was always driven by desire to win, he was doing everything he could to bring the victory to his team, he remained the leader – brave and ready to take initiative and responsibility. His decisions could be right or wrong but he was decisive. Not many players during their careers are able to create simultaneusly two groups – fans and haters. Milos succeeded in this task and, most importantly, he did not leave anyone indifferent. He brought up unbelievable emotions, creating huge army of admirers: I am sure that many people were coming to our games to watch the magic of Teodosic. He has real basketball creativity, amazing court vision and the spectators were gasping with surprise, shaking their heads, rubbed their eyes.
“I will miss him as a player and also as a close friend. It is always difficult to say goodbye but today especially is sad day. The talented young man came to CSKA six years ago and he leaves as a mature person who won everything on all levels. I wish Milos good luck and health.”
@MilosTeodosic4
🏆Чемпион @EuroLeague
🏆6-кратный чемпион России
🏆6-кратный чемпион @VTBUL
🥈финалист Евролиги
🥉бронзовый призер Евролиги pic.twitter.com/MGVqXdpKC1— CSKA Moscow (@cskabasket) July 7, 2017
During his tenure with the Muscovites, which Teodosic joined in 2011 from Olympiacos, he played 332 games 12.5 points (53 percent of two-pointers, 39.7 percent of three-pointers, 87.7 percent of free throws), 2.5 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.8 steals in 25.2 minutes per game.
“It was six amazing, fantastic years in Moscow,” Teodosic said in a statement.
“I leave part of my heart there, I was fortunate to have so many friends there, I felt so much love and support from the fans. CSKA let me grow as a player, display my skills, win titles, fulfill my dreams. I would like to thank all my great teammates, coaches and staff members. A huge challenge is ahead of me and I am making my next step with great expectations”.
