"I have been thinking a lot about the end of my representative career, before and also during the last year's EuroBasket 2013, but I've postponed my decision because I had a great wish to play for the national team," the player, who will be 36 in two weeks, wrote in his public statement.
He ended his representative career in the best possible manner
"After thorough consideration, and after looking back at the entire season, I realized that my body was not so young any more, and that it needed more time to regenerate, and to prepare for the next season in the club. Therefore I decided that EuroBasket 2013 would be my last representative tournament. I believe that in this way my career in the national team ended on the best note possible – on the home ground. My heart has always been, and will always remain, with the Slovenian national team and its fans. I will never forget the fans, and I would like to take advantage of this opportunity to thank them again for their constant support," said the former team captain.
Avanzo: He became an icon
The director of the national teams of the membership category Matej Avanzo said: "He became an icon of the Slovenian basketball. He was one of the most deserving players who created an actual cult within our national team. His yearly playing for Slovenia, his catching fighting spirit, his persistence, his struggle to the very last – these are the reasons he earned the title of the team captain, and as the captain at the EuroBasket at home ground played his last match in the national team."
He said goodbye correctly
Avanzo thanked to the player: "As is typical of him, he wanted to act correctly also when retiring from the national team. He considered his decision thoroughly, and then informed the selector Jure Zdovc and the management of the Basketball Federation of Slovenia. I would like to thank Jaka in the name of the Slovenian umbrella organisation for a number of memorable moments, and his dedication to the Slovenian colours which should be an example to future generations. At the same time I wish him success in his club career, and an even more successful transition into coaching which he finds more and more appealing."
