The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has signed forward Nikola Mirotic (KNEE-coal-uh MIR-oh-tich).
“We feel Nikola will be a great addition to our frontcourt where he he’ll be able to space the floor with his outstanding shooting ability,” said Bulls General Manager Gar Forman. “We’ve known Nikola for several years and we are confident he will be a great fit for our team both on and off the court. He’s a player with great potential.”
Mirotic (6-10, 225), was acquired by Chicago on June 24, 2011, as part of a draft-night trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves. In that deal, Chicago acquired the draft rights to Mirotic (No. 23 pick) in exchange for the draft rights to Norris Cole (No. 28) and Malcolm Lee (No. 43), as well as cash considerations.
Last year with Real Madrid CF of the Liga ACB, he played in 31 games (31 starts) and averaged 12.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.06 spg, 24.0 mpg, .508 from the field, .461 from behind the arc and .811 from the line. In five seasons with Real Madrid CF, the 23-year old Mirotic played in 97 Euroleague games (71 starts) and posted averages of 13.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 0.9 apg, 0.76 spg, 24.2 mpg, .498 from the floor, .402 from behind the three-point line and .848 from the free throw line.
The Podgorica, Montenegro native was a back-to-back winner of the Euroleague Rising Star Award (2010-11 and 2011-12), which is awarded to the league’s best player under 22 years of age. Mirotic was also named to the 2012-13 All-Euroleague Second Team and named the 2014 Spanish Cup Final MVP. With Real Madrid CF, he won the 2012-13 Spanish National Championship, the 2012 and 2014 Spanish National Cup (King’s Cup) and the 2012 and 2013 Spanish Super Cup.
