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may 12 2026The Czech center will retire from professional basketball after four seasons with Barcelona and becoming a EuroLeague legend
Jan Vesely is saying goodbye to the basketball court. The player has made this decision and announced it himself, ending his long and successful playing career when the 2025/26 season concludes. The Czech center, who recently turned 36, will retire after a final four-year stint with Barcelona. And of course, as a true EuroLeague legend.
The 'last dance' with the ACB on the line
The Barcelona center has decided to end his playing career and has communicated this to the locker room, assuring that he will give his all to achieve the last title at stake: the ACB championship. He is currently injured and has been unable to play the last two games due to aggravation of his right knee issues.
Vesely arrived at Barcelona in the summer of 2022 and, in the 264 games played so far wearing the blaugrana shirt, has displayed his craft as a basketball player, showing an intelligence on the court that has allowed him to combine his toughness in the paint with his excellent mid-range shooting. Physical problems, especially during the 2024/25 season, and the demanding schedule have prevented him from helping the team as much as he would have liked. Over these four seasons, he has won the Liga championship in 2023 and three Catalan Leagues. Now he could have the opportunity to say goodbye to the court in the final regular season games and in the ACB playoffs.
Admired at Partizan and Fenerbahce, with a stint in the NBA
He began playing in Príbor and BK Snakes Ostrava in his native Czech Republic until 2007, when he moved to Slovenia to play for Geoplin Slovan. In 2008 he signed with Partizan, making his EuroLeague debut as a small forward and reaching the EuroLeague Final Four in the 2009/10 season.
His strong performances, the titles won with Partizan, and his potential earned him the sixth pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and a contract with the Washington Wizards. In 2014 he ended up playing for the Denver Nuggets. After 162 games in the NBA, he returned to Europe, signing with Fenerbahce.
With the Turkish club, the Czech center stood out as one of Europe's most important players over eight successful seasons. He won the EuroLeague championship in 2017 and was named EuroLeague MVP in the 2018/19 season with 12.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 17.6 efficiency rating in 25 minutes per game. Additionally, he was selected to the EuroLeague All-Star Five in 2016, 2018, and 2019.
A record two-pointer in EuroLeague history
Beyond domestic titles in Serbia and Turkey or numerous MVP honors, Vesely is respected in European basketball for his commitment on the court and his evolution over 15 seasons in the EuroLeague. He has played 414 games and will retire as the player with the most two-pointers in the competition's history (1,701).
He also ranks among the most prominent players in numerous statistical categories: fourth in efficiency rating (5,481), sixth in points (4,359), third in rebounds (1,906), and third in steals (403).
