Nikola Mirotić Stajović (Montenegrin Cyrillic:Никола Миротић; born 11 February 1991) is a Montenegrin–born naturalized Spanish professional basketball player forAS Monaco of the FrenchLNB Pro A and theEuroLeague. Thepower forward[1][2] is a five-timeAll-EuroLeague Team member, and previously played forReal Madrid of the Liga ACB. Mirotić was drafted with the 23rd pick in the2011 NBA draft, and played in theNBA from 2014 for theChicago Bulls,New Orleans Pelicans, andMilwaukee Bucks, before returning to Spain in the 2019 offseason.
Growing up inMontenegro,football was Mirotić's true passion. As he got older, his family realized his height could be a lot more useful for another sport. At the age of 13, his grandfather introduced him to basketball.[3] Mirotić started playing basketball with the Joker School inPodgorica[4] run by retired professional basketball playerJadran Vujačić.
In the summer of 2005, at the age of 14, Mirotić signed a junior contract withReal Madrid.
After playing for theReal Madrid juniors from 2006 to 2008, Mirotić signed with the Real Madrid senior team in 2008. During the2010–11 Euroleague season, he emerged as one of his team's most valuable players, and won theEuroLeague Rising Star award.[5] In April 2011, he signed a five-year contract extension with Real Madrid.[6] With Real Madrid, he won theSpanish King's Cup and theSpanish Supercup in 2012.
On 23 June 2011, Mirotić was selected by theHouston Rockets with the 23rd overall pick in the2011 NBA draft. He was later traded to theMinnesota Timberwolves, and again to theChicago Bulls on draft night.[7]
In the2012–13 Euroleague season, he finished second in the EuroLeague Rising Star voting toKostas Papanikolaou,[8] and he was named to theAll-EuroLeague Second Team.[9] In May 2014, he was named to the All-EuroLeague Second Team, for the second consecutive season.[10]
In a total of 97 EuroLeague games for Real Madrid, Mirotić averaged 10.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.[11]
On 18 July 2014, Mirotić signed with theChicago Bulls[12] to a reported three-year, $16.6 million contract.[13] In addition, Mirotić was required to pay $3 million to Real Madrid for his contract buyout.[14]
On 19 December 2014, Mirotić scored a then career-high 27 points, as he converted all six of his three-pointers, in a 103–97 win over theMemphis Grizzlies.[15] On 5 January 2015, he was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for games played in December.[16] During the NBA's All-Star Weekend, Mirotić played for World Team in the Rising Stars Challenge. He scored 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field in the World's 121–112 win over Team USA.[17] On 1 March, he scored a career-high 29 points in a loss to theLos Angeles Clippers.[18] With injuries impacting teammates during the month of March, Mirotić was expected to fill a larger role for his team. He averaged 20.8 points and 7.6 rebounds while playing 30.8 minutes per game.[19][20] In his rookie season, Mirotić averaged 10.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 82 games,[21] giving him the recognition as a candidate for theRookie of the Year Award.[22] Mirotić finished second in Rookie of the Year voting with 335 votes behindAndrew Wiggins who received 604 votes.[23] He played his first post-season game in the NBA on 18 April 2015 in game 1 of the Bulls' first-round series match-up against theMilwaukee Bucks. In 13 minutes off the bench, he recorded 5 points and 5 rebounds.[24]
At the beginning of the 2015–16 season, Mirotić had a starting role ahead of All-Star centerJoakim Noah. He scored a team-high 19 points in the season opening win over theCleveland Cavaliers.[25] He started in all 18 games to begin the season, coming off the bench for the first time on 9 December against theBoston Celtics, scoring 10 points in 22 minutes of action.[26] He continued coming off the bench following 9 December, in a back-up role toTaj Gibson.[27] His next start came on 21 December against theBrooklyn Nets, as he started at small forward in place ofTony Snell.[28] On 1 January, he recorded 17 points and a career-high seven assists in a 108–81 win over theNew York Knicks.[29] On 27 January, he was diagnosed with an acute appendicitis and was subsequently ruled out until after the All-Star break.[30] He returned to action on 5 March against theHouston Rockets after missing 16 games.[31] On 23 March, he scored a career-high 35 points in a loss to the New York Knicks.[32]
On 26 December 2016, less than two weeks after falling out of the rotation for a couple of games, Mirotić recorded a then-season-high 20 points in a 90–85 win over theIndiana Pacers.[33] After not playing by coach's decision in two straight games in early March so that management and the coaching staff could look atJoffrey Lauvergne, Mirotić landed on the inactive list.[34] On 13 March, he returned from a three-game absence and scored 24 points on five three-pointers in a 115–109 win over theCharlotte Hornets.[35] On 22 March, he scored a season-high 28 points in a 117–95 win over theDetroit Pistons.[36] Four days later, he tied his season high with another 28-point effort in a 109–94 win over theMilwaukee Bucks.[37] He had a third 28-point game on 30 March in a 99–93 win over theCleveland Cavaliers. He had six three-pointers against both Milwaukee and Cleveland, becoming the first Bulls player to hit six or more three-pointers in back-to-back games.[38]
On 25 September 2017, Mirotić re-signed with the Bulls.[39] On 17 October 2017, Mirotić was sent to the hospital after engaging in a physical altercation with teammateBobby Portis during practice. Portis punched Mirotić in the face resulting in Mirotić suffering a concussion and multiple facial fractures.[40][41] Mirotić made his season debut on 8 December, scoring six points in 14 minutes in a 119–111 overtime win over theCharlotte Hornets.[42] On 11 December, he scored 24 points in his first start of the season in a 108–85 win over theBoston Celtics. He hit 9 of 14 shots and grabbed eight rebounds in his third appearance.[43] On 13 December, he scored 29 points on 11-of-18 shooting with nine rebounds in a 103–100 win over theUtah Jazz.[44] On 26 December, he came off the bench to score 24 points in 28 minutes, as the Bulls won for the eighth time in 10 games, beating theMilwaukee Bucks 115–106.[45]
On 1 February 2018, Mirotić was traded, along with a 2018 second-round pick, to theNew Orleans Pelicans in exchange forÖmer Aşık,Tony Allen,Jameer Nelson, a 2018 first-round pick and the right to swap 2021 second-round picks with the Pelicans.[46] He made his debut for the Pelicans two days later, scoring 18 points in a 118–107 loss to theMinnesota Timberwolves.[47] On 10 February, he recorded 21 points and 16 rebounds in a 138–128 double-overtime win over theBrooklyn Nets.[48] On 6 April, he scored a season-high 31 points and tied a season best with 16 rebounds in a 122–103 win over thePhoenix Suns.[49] Three days later, he recorded 24 points and 16 rebounds in a 113–100 win over theLos Angeles Clippers, helping the Pelicans clinch a playoff spot.[50] In game 1 of the Pelicans' first-round playoff series against thePortland Trail Blazers, Mirotić recorded 16 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks in a 97–95 win.[51] In game 3, Mirotić scored a career playoff-best 30 points, as the Pelicans beat the Trail Blazers 119–102 to take a 3–0 lead in the series.[52]
In the Pelicans' season opener on 17 October 2018, Mirotić scored 30 points on 6 of 8 from 3-point range in a 131–112 win over theHouston Rockets.[53] Two days later, he scored a career-high 36 points in a 149–129 win over theSacramento Kings.[54][55] On 5 November, he had 16 points and matched a career high with 16 rebounds in a 122–116 loss to theOklahoma City Thunder.[56] On 9 January, he returned to action against theCleveland Cavaliers after missing 12 games due to an ankle injury.[57]
On 7 February 2019, Mirotić was traded to theMilwaukee Bucks in a three-team trade involvingJason Smith,Stanley Johnson andThon Maker.[58] He missed the first four games with the Bucks upon being acquired with a calf injury, making his debut on 21 February against theBoston Celtics.[59] He missed the final 11 regular-season games after suffering a fractured left thumb against theLos Angeles Lakers on 19 March.[60][61][62] He made his return in the Bucks' opening game of the playoffs.[63]
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On 6 July 2019, Mirotić signed a three-year deal, with the option of an extension through to 2023, withFC Barcelona of theLiga ACB and theEuroLeague.[64] According to sources, Mirotić's contract was worth€26 million, making him the highest-paid basketball player in Europe.[65] On 27 June 2020, Mirotic was awarded the league's Most Valuable Player award. He became the fifth player inLiga Endesa history to have multiple MVP awards, joiningDarryl Middleton,Arvydas Sabonis,Luis Scola andFelipe Reyes.[66] Mirotić finished the season averaging 19.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. He extended his contract until 2025 on 25 September 2020.[67]
In the 2021–22 season, he won his firstEuroLeague MVP award, becoming the first Barcelona player to win the award in 14 years.[68]
On 22 July 2022, Mirotić suffered an Achilles injury that ruled him out for the beginning of the 2022–23 season.[69]
On 1 December 2022, Mirotić made his season debut againstAlba Berlin, finishing the game with 19 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists in an 88–86 win.[70]
On 15 May 2023, Mirotić was named into the All-EuroLeague Second Team alongsideMike James fromAS Monaco Basket,Kevin Punter fromKK Partizan,Darius Thompson fromSaski Baskonia, andWade Baldwin IV fromMaccabi Tel Aviv B.C..[71]
On 19 May 2023, Mirotić andFC Barcelona Bàsquet failed to win the EuroLeague despite reaching the third Final Four in a row. Barcelona lost in the semifinal againstReal Madrid Baloncesto 66–78.[72]
Mirotić finished the game with 3 points (1/10 FG, 1/2 FT), 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 3 turnovers. He took the responsibility after the game. "I congratulate Real Madrid, they played a great game," Mirotic said. "I take a large part of the responsibility for us losing this game. I haven't been at the level expected of me, I haven't been able to help the team. I feel very bad. I say to our fans that I'm sorry, thank you for supporting us and for coming here."[73]
On 20 July 2023,FC Barcelona Bàsquet officially announced that the club is unilaterally terminating Mirotić's contract. Mirotić still had two years left in his contract, but he became a free agent.[74]
On 28 June 2023,Olimpia Milano head coachEttore Messina said that Milan can't compete with the likes of Anadolu Efes, Fenerbahçe, Panathinaikos, Barcelona, or Real Madrid in the race to sign Mirotić, essentially denying a previous report about a deal between the two sides.[75]
On 9 July 2023, reports in the Greek media emerged stating thatPanathinaikos entered the race for Mirotić's signature, offering a two-year €8 million contract.[76]
However, on 23 July 2023, Panathinaikos ownerDimitrios Giannakopoulos denied the rumors about the interest in Mirotić. "I looked at my iPad, and there are 10,000 messages," Giannakopoulos said on Saturday via his Instagram. "Now, even our plane is being watched, it is said that we went to Serbia to make a deal with [Nikola] Mirotić. No, we were at The Weeknd concert."[77]
On 16 July 2023, the Serbian media reported that Mirotić landed in Belgrade to finalize an agreement withPartizan. Partizan head coachŽeljko Obradović reportedly had the biggest influence on Mirotić's decision to join the Serbian powerhouse.[78]
On 22 July 2023, two days after officially parting ways with Barcelona, Mirotić stated that he wouldn't join Partizan due to insults and threats he received after news of his continuation in Obradović's team was published.[79] Hours after the player's statement, Partizan responded by releasing a statement of their own, claiming that Mirotić's decision had nothing to do with the supposed threats. "The club publicly calls on Nikola Mirotić, out of his commitment to the truth, and he is a man who fights for the truth, to say who the people who threatened him are. The club's wish and plan was to build the team around the players who are currently under contract and Mirotić himself, but now that plan will have to be corrected. KK Partizan Mozzart Bet firmly believes that the reasons for not signing the contract by Nikola Mirotić have nothing to do with any threats but with some other things that the public will be able to see for themselves in the days ahead," Partizan wrote in the statement.[80]
On 5 October 2023, Partizan head coach Željko Obradović claimed Mirotić received pressure from unnamed politicians and church members after his decision to join the Serbian powerhouse.
"I will tell you exactly as he told me. He didn't mention any names, but he told me he received calls from politicians and the church. Nikola did not reveal any names, but he told me it was about people from politics and the church. I know that much. He can confirm that," Obradović said in an interview with news magazine Nedeljnik.[81]
However, on 2 November 2023, Mirotić denied the claims and rumors about being influenced by the Serbian Orthodox Church not to join Partizan.
"Wanting to debunk the slander that seeks to harm our Holy Church and its Patriarch, I have the need to state that I have not yet had the honor to meet His HolinessPatriarch Porfirije nor to communicate with him, directly or indirectly," Mirotić wrote in a post on Instagram.[82]
On 3 August 2023, Mirotić signed a two-year deal withOlimpia Milano of theLBA and theEuroLeague.[83]
On 19 October 2023, Mirotić moved to the Top 10 EuroLeague All-Time scoring list. Mirotić scored 3,242nd career point in the EuroLeague game againstReal Madrid, overtakingKyle Hines andPaulius Jankunas.[84]
On 25 July 2025, Mirotić signed withAS Monaco of the FrenchLNB Élite and theEuroLeague.[85]
Mirotić was a member of the junior national team of Spain. He helpedSpain's U20 national team win the bronze medal at the2010FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship, where he was named to the All-Tournament Team. He also led Spain to the gold medal in2011. Mirotić was the top scorer andMVP of the tournament, averaging 27 points (tournament record) and 10 rebounds per game.[86]
In June 2015, Mirotić was named byhead coachSergio Scariolo as one of 17 candidates to try out for the seniorSpain men's national basketball team that would play at theEuroBasket 2015.[87] Mirotić made Spain's final 12-man roster, and he went on to win a gold medal at the tournament, in September 2015. He also played with Spain at the2016 Summer Olympics, where he won a bronze medal.[88]
On January 19, 2023, Mirotić confirmed he's retiring from the Spanish national team. "I haven't played with them for many years, I've focused a lot on giving my all to the club I'm at. Then in summer, I have many personal things, family, my businesses. And I am at an age, especially after having the injury and everything, in which I don't see myself returning with the national team," Mirotić explained.[89]
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field-goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field-goal percentage | FT% | Free-throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | PIR | Performance index rating |
| Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | Chicago | 82 | 3 | 20.2 | .405 | .316 | .803 | 4.9 | 1.2 | .7 | .7 | 10.2 |
| 2015–16 | Chicago | 66 | 38 | 24.9 | .407 | .390 | .807 | 5.5 | 1.5 | .9 | .7 | 11.8 |
| 2016–17 | Chicago | 70 | 15 | 24.0 | .413 | .342 | .773 | 5.5 | 1.1 | .8 | .8 | 10.6 |
| 2017–18 | Chicago | 25 | 3 | 24.9 | .474 | .429 | .823 | 6.4 | 1.6 | .6 | .5 | 16.8 |
| New Orleans | 30 | 11 | 29.1 | .427 | .335 | .810 | 8.2 | 1.4 | 1.0 | .9 | 14.6 | |
| 2018–19 | New Orleans | 32 | 22 | 28.9 | .447 | .368 | .842 | 8.3 | 1.1 | .7 | .8 | 16.7 |
| Milwaukee | 14 | 3 | 22.9 | .415 | .356 | .870 | 5.4 | 1.4 | .7 | .6 | 11.6 | |
| Career | 319 | 95 | 24.2 | .423 | .359 | .808 | 5.9 | 1.3 | .8 | .7 | 12.3 | |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Chicago | 11 | 0 | 14.9 | .303 | .233 | .800 | 2.7 | .8 | .5 | .5 | 5.7 |
| 2017 | Chicago | 6 | 6 | 27.0 | .340 | .286 | .800 | 5.0 | 1.5 | .7 | .5 | 8.7 |
| 2018 | New Orleans | 9 | 9 | 35.6 | .480 | .431 | .789 | 9.6 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 15.0 |
| 2019 | Milwaukee | 14 | 8 | 21.3 | .376 | .289 | .821 | 4.3 | .7 | .7 | .2 | 9.5 |
| Career | 40 | 23 | 21.3 | .388 | .318 | .805 | 5.2 | 1.1 | .8 | .6 | 9.6 | |
| * | Led the league |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG | PIR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–09 | Real Madrid | 1 | 0 | 2.1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | -1.0 |
| 2010–11 | 20 | 0 | 15.0 | .500 | .387 | .857 | 3.3 | .6 | .5 | .5 | 6.6 | 8.2 | |
| 2011–12 | 16 | 15 | 23.1 | .525 | .439 | .918* | 4.5 | .9 | .8 | .4 | 12.5 | 14.6 | |
| 2012–13 | 29 | 25 | 24.9 | .475 | .325 | .851 | 5.3 | .9 | .7 | .9 | 11.4 | 13.3 | |
| 2013–14 | 31* | 31* | 24.0 | .508 | .461 | .811 | 4.6 | 1.2 | 1.1 | .8 | 12.4 | 15.9 | |
| 2019–20 | Barcelona | 28* | 28* | 27.8 | .483 | .331 | .869 | 6.9 | 1.6 | 1.1 | .3 | 19.0 | 22.5 |
| 2020–21 | 33 | 32 | 25.8 | .533 | .413 | .848 | 5.9 | 1.0 | 1.2 | .5 | 15.6 | 19.5 | |
| 2021–22 | 38 | 38* | 24.4 | .570 | .463 | .876 | 5.2 | 1.4 | .9 | .3 | 16.9 | 20.1* | |
| 2022–23 | 29 | 29 | 25.0 | .498 | .392 | .804 | 4.3 | 1.2 | 1.0 | .4 | 15.4 | 16.4 | |
| 2023–24 | Olimpia Milano | 21 | 17 | 26.5 | .526 | .418 | .847 | 5.7 | .9 | .8 | .3 | 16.9 | 18.9 |
| 2024–25 | 30 | 30 | 27.5 | .475 | .389 | .893 | 6.4 | 2.0 | 1.0 | .3 | 17.7 | 19.0 | |
| Career | 276 | 245 | 24.3 | .515 | .400 | .857 | 5.3 | 1.2 | .9 | .5 | 14.7 | 17.6 | |
| † | Denotes season in which Mirotic won theLiga ACB or theLega Basket Serie A championship |
| Season | Team | League | GP | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–09 |  Real Madrid | ACB | 5 | 3.3 | .250 | .000 | .500 | — | — | — | — | 0.8 |
| 2009–10 | Palencia | LEB Oro | 31 | 20.2 | .441 | .346 | .573 | 3.2 | .8 | .8 | .8 | 8.0 |
| 2010–11 | Real Madrid | ACB | 35 | 16.5 | .505 | .393 | .890 | 3.5 | .7 | .6 | .4 | 7.9 |
| 2011–12 | Real Madrid | ACB | 42 | 19.5 | .490 | .387 | .702 | 4.3 | .7 | .7 | .5 | 8.9 |
| 2012–13† | Real Madrid | ACB | 43 | 23.4 | .503 | .417 | .794 | 5.4 | .9 | 1.0 | .8 | 12.2 |
| 2013–14 | Real Madrid | ACB | 43 | 22.6 | .506 | .350 | .793 | 5.1 | 1.1 | .9 | .5 | 11.6 |
| 2019–20 | Barcelona | ACB | 25 | 25.9 | .507 | .324 | .897 | 5.2 | 1.4 | 1.1 | .7 | 19.0 |
| 2020–21† | Barcelona | ACB | 38 | 21.6 | .566 | .457 | .800 | 4.9 | .8 | .9 | .7 | 14.0 |
| 2021–22 | Barcelona | ACB | 40 | 23.8 | .524 | .411 | .830 | 5.3 | .8 | .6 | .5 | 15.0 |
| 2022–23† | Barcelona | ACB | 32 | 21.9 | .482 | .382 | .947 | 4.6 | 1.4 | .6 | .3 | 13.6 |
| 2023–24† |  Olimpia Milano | LBA | 25 | 23.5 | .475 | .402 | .887 | 4.8 | .8 | .6 | .5 | 15.4 |
| 2024–25 | Olimpia Milano | LBA | 31 | 23.1 | .471 | .373 | .906 | 4.4 | 1.5 | .8 | .4 | 15.9 |
Mirotić and his wife, Nina Vujačić, have a son named Aleksandar, who was born in May 2013. His wife is the daughter of his former coach and mentor, Jadran Vujačić, who also played professional basketball withBorac Čačak,KK Partizan andBudućnost Titograd.[90]
Mirotić is an ethnicSerb and aSerbian Orthodox Christian.[91] He received theOrder of St. Sava in May 2017.[92][93] Mirotić has participated inprayer walks andprotests inPodgorica against the controversial religious law concerning theSerbian Orthodox Church.[94][95]
Gold
Bronze Bronze GoldMirotic returned after a 12-game absence due to an ankle injury.
Mirotic suffered a fractured left thumb against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 19 and did not play in the final 11 regular-season games.
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