Career: Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia, 1995-97), Kinder Bologna (Italy-Lega, 1997-99), Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA, 1999-2003), San Antonio Spurs (NBA, 2003-...). Drafted in the first round (#17) of the 1998 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Rare are the teams that will be able to line-up two NBA starters at the center position. There will of course by the host team of Serbia-Montenegro with the Clippers' Zeljko Rebraca and the Nets' Nenad Krstic. The second is Slovenia, which can by all means be proud of its "Twin Towers", Primoz Brezec and "Rasho" Nesterovic. The latter made his first steps on the court with the young teams of Olimpija in his native Slovenia. He signed a professional contract with Olimpija's seniors in 1996. The following year, Kinder Bologna "snatched" him and acquired a talented center to build its franchise on. After two solid years in the Italian Lega and the Euroleague, during which he was under the watchful eye of NBA scouts, Rasho was drafted by the Wolves and moved overseas. After a couple of years of adjustment, he played his best basketball during his last contract season (2002-03) and signed a lucrative deal with the Spurs. After a solid first season, backing up Tim Duncan, injuries and the arrival of Nzar Mohamed slowed him down last season. But Nesterovic ended up winning a NBA ring. What more can one expect from his career? Well, in order to be recognized in Europe, one has to aim for a EuroBasket medal. Nesterovic played very well and was the national team's top scorer and rebounder on two of three EuroBaskets he played for Slovenia, but success was not there. His country needs him to do his job in Belgrade, to have a shot at the podium? Is it too much to hope for?
