Photo: Bildbyrån
This summer, Pelle Larsson made Swedish NBA history when both he and Bobi Klintman were drafted in the first round.
The 23-year-old has had a good first season with the Miami Heat, which has not gone unnoticed.
– Duplantis cheered, it was nice of him, Larsson tells SVT Sport.
Over the years, only five Swedes have been drafted to the NBA. Jonas Jerebko (39th, 2009), Jeffery Taylor (31st, 2012) and Marcus Eriksson (50th, 2015) were the pioneers. Never before have two Swedes been drafted in the same year. Until June, then both Pelle Larsson23, and Bobby Klintman21, went in the second round.
“Mondo” sent greetings
It has now been four months since Pelle Larsson received his dream message that he would go to Miami to try out to play for the Miami Heat. The pre-season has gone very well and during the night towards Friday the league play starts. The Orlando Magic are the premier opponent.
– I feel safe. We have trained quite hard, so it feels good. Then we’ll see how much playing time there will be, he tells SVT Sport.
When the news came that the Nacka guy would get the chance in the world’s biggest and best basketball league, there were of course many who got in touch and congratulated him on the big step. It was above all one name that stood out.
READ MORE: Armand Duplanti’s honest words about the gender image that everyone is talking about
– Family and friends, it means a lot to have their support, of course. But then there are probably other athletes who may not have had a clue about one who may now have it. Armand Duplantis cheered, that was nice of him. I know he was very busy, because it was around the Olympics. It was nice of him to take that time and congratulate, says Pelle Larsson.
Tribute to Elliot Cadeau
Duplantis, who grew up in the United States with an American father and a Swedish mother, naturally follows the NBA. He has previously praised the Swedish basketball talent Elliot Cadeau20, who has now made his debut for Sweden’s A national team. Duplantis took the opportunity to pay tribute to his new homeland and wrote to Cadeau – who also grew up in and lives in the USA – that he would also be welcomed by Sweden.
– He called me “a new Swedish ‘goat'” (greatest of all time), the best of all time, Elliot Cadeau told me when he visited Carina Bergfeldts talk show last year.
– It was fantastic, he is a great inspiration for me and I want to be like him, in my sport. I want to do what he has done, so it was great to have someone like him reach out to me. Even though he didn’t have to contact me, he didn’t have to follow me. But he did, so that was great, he said.
READ MORE: The Swedish duo Bobi Klintman and Pelle Larsson made history last night – both were drafted to the NBA
Good luck with the new season Pelle Larsson. Hope you get playing time in Miami and that you do well.
Fun with the support from Armand Duplantis. It’s always nice to hear that you have the backing of other Swedish athletes.
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