RealGM

The Euroleague Rising Star Trophy has a repeat winner for the first time! Real Madrid forward Nikola Mirotic, whose breakout a year ago earned him the vote of Turkish Airlines Euroleague head coaches, is the Rising Star Trophy winner once again after dramatically improving his output this season. If last season Mirotic rose from a prospect to an important contributor for Los Blancos, this season he took the next step as a full-time starter and bona fide star. It was a season full of firsts for the 21-year-old forward. After just 10 weeks, Mirotic had notched his first Euroleague double-double, his first weekly bwin MVP honor and his first bwin MVP of the month award, for December. Despite being its youngest regular player, Mirotic led Madrid in performance index rating, 14.6 per game, and ranked among the team's top three in scoring, shooting percentage from all ranges, rebounding, steals and fouls drawn. Moreover, he was the Euroleague's single best free throw shooter, making 56 of 61 tries for a 91.8% accuracy rate, while ranking ninth overall in performance index rating. Mirotic won the award despite stiff competition from a strong crop of young talents. His emergence as one of the best young talents in the world and a leader on one of basketball's historic clubs convinced Euroleague head coaches to make Mirotic their choice again as the Rising Star Trophy winner for the 2011-12 season!



http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/96621/180

Wow! I knew he had been playing well, but not as well as that.

The guy is really doing his thing. First time back to back winner never has been done, not Toni Kukoc, Dirk Nowitski, Bargiani, Gasol, etc.

Dude should be pure beast by the 14/15 season. I am excite.

jc23 wrote:Dude should be pure beast by the 14/15 season. I am excite.

The guy just turned 21! I hope we buy him out before then

I am so stoked for this guy. It's our present day Kukoc!!!!

It will be interesting to see if he ever comes over, his contract will make that difficult.

I'm excited for his arrival. I remember Chad Ford in his chat last week said that if Mirotic was in this draft and promised to come to the NBA next season, he would be a sure top 10 pick and maybe higher. Pretty good for a pretty deep draft.

Guys who have won the award..

2004-05 Slovenia Erazem Lorbek Italy Fortitudo Bologna
2005-06 Italy Andrea Bargnani Italy Basket Treviso
2006-07 Spain Rudy Fernández Spain Joventut Badalona
2007-08 Italy Danilo Gallinari ItalyOlimpia Milano
2008-09 Serbia Novica Veličković Serbia Partizan Belgrade
2009-1 Spain Ricky Rubio Spain Barcelona
2010-11 Spain Nikola Mirotić Spain Real Madrid
[2011-12 Spain Nikola Mirotić

Not bad company..

Absolutely Great!!!!!!

dougthonus wrote:It will be interesting to see if he ever comes over, his contract will make that difficult.

Awesome

I understand his European contract is more lucrative than the rookie scale deal he'd be on with the Bulls, but if he's as good as advertised, there's a long-term financial incentive to coming over sooner than later.

That being said, I expect him to stay in Europe for three more seasons.

Bulls4EverX wrote:The guy is really doing his thing. First time back to back winner never has been done, not Toni Kukoc, Dirk Nowitski, Bargiani, Gasol, etc.

...not your spelling

Of all the stats I am most impressed by 92% FT shooting. That is rare, and indicates that he has good concentration and work ethic.

We really do know how to pick them.

wish he jus hopped on the plane now and just played for us during the playoffs lol

Derrick's game should fit in well with DIRK MIROTIC.