Mirza Teletović
A Bosnian basketball pioneer who blazed a trail from European superstar to the NBA, then returned home to lead the sport's administration.
Born 1985 (age 41)·Bosnian basketball player·Birthday: September 18·Millennials
Biography
Mirza Teletović's career is a story of firsts and fierce national pride. A 6'9" forward with a lightning-quick release, he first made his name as a scoring machine in Europe, dominating for years with Saski Baskonia in Spain's ACB league. He wasn't just a player; he was an event, capable of erupting for 30 points on any given night. In 2012, he became one of the first Bosnians to secure a major NBA contract, signing with the Brooklyn Nets. His six-season NBA journey was defined by resilience, battling through a serious lung condition to become a valued stretch-four who could change a game with a barrage of threes. After retiring, he didn't walk away from the game. He stepped into the presidency of the Basketball Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, aiming to use his hard-earned stature to rebuild and inspire the next generation of Bosnian talent.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Mirza was born in 1985, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Mirza Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
Mirza's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1985Born
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1990Started school
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1998Became a teenager
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Could drive
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2003Could vote
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Turned 21
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2015Turned 30
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 40
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 41 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Served as the President of the Basketball Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2018 to 2022.
- Played six seasons in the NBA for the Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix Suns, and Milwaukee Bucks.
- Was a EuroLeague All-Star and a multi-time All-ACB Team selection during his tenure with Saski Baskonia.
- Captained the Bosnia and Herzegovina national basketball team for many years.
Did You Know?
He was diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs in 2015 but returned to play in the NBA the following season.
He led the EuroLeague in scoring during the 2011-12 season with Saski Baskonia.
He holds the record for most three-pointers made in a single game for the Brooklyn Nets franchise (9).
He started his professional career at age 16 with Sloboda Tuzla in Bosnia.
“When I shoot, I don't think. I just let it fly.”
