Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic has confirmed his availability for the Spanish national team ahead of the EuroBasket tournament later this year.
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Mirotic opted for an innovative way to confirm the news, as instead of releasing a press release with his decision he chose to post a video on social media for his fans.
The clip can be seen below, and shows a montage of images from the 24-year-old’s first year with the Bulls this past NBA season.
After the final photo, the title ‘Next Step’ appears along with the Spanish national team jersey and the hash-tag #EuroBasket2015.
However, he will now hope that coach Sergio Scariolo calls him up for the tournament as he is likely to announce his preliminary roster in the coming weeks.
Mirotic was born in Montenegro but moved to Spain as a teenager and became a Spanish international in 2010. He averaged 15.3 points and 6.8 rebounds to help them to a bronze medal at the U20 European Championships.
Having spent the first part of his career with Real Madrid, he has now moved on to the Bulls where he was a huge success this year and was considered as a late contender for the Rookie of the Year award.
He will hope that featuring in the international tournament this summer will also give him the perfect platform to make another leap up in the NBA, but his inclusion will be a crucial one as Scariolo has a decision to make.
Only one of Mirotic or Oklahoma City Thunder star Serge Ibaka can be selected by the team at a given tournament as both players acquired Spanish nationality after birth.
While Scariolo has hinted on multiple occasions that he has held discussions with Mirotic, it is likely that the Bulls star will get the nod this summer.
Estáis preparados?? NIKOLA MIROTIĆ SI y lo quiere compartir con todos vosotros… pic.twitter.com/qU3pDkheZ8
— Mirotić News (@MiroticNews) June 8, 2015
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