The night to Tuesday, his Miami Heat was eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs against Cleveland after 0–4 in matches.
The biggest losses in my life. It was a bit of a shock. I got to experience what it takes at this level.
Just a few hours later, a slightly tired 24-year-old says he wants to play in the European Championship at the end of the summer.
The club has never been negative to playing with the national team. I don't think there will be any problems. There are others who will also play for their national teams, says Larsson, who looks forward to joining the preparatory European Championship camps this summer.
"I think we can surprise"
I believe in the team. We haven't shown our full potential yet. Other teams may have players with bigger egos. I don't think we have any such.
I think we have players who are willing to buy what the coach says. We will fight all the way. I think we can surprise against the other teams, says he via link from Miami.
Pelle Larsson is an enormous reinforcement for the national team. As a rookie, he has impressed in Miami Heat and taken big steps during his debut season in the world's best basketball league.
Yet, he is not entirely satisfied.
I could have done more. I got injured, two sprained feet when I was in top form and had found my rhythm.
He looks back on a debut season that went "beyond expectations".
Some favorite memories
It will take some time before I can fully evaluate the season, but I have some favorite memories. Like when we beat Boston in Boston, after they had beaten us twice at home.
Before Miami Heat releases its players, meetings and medical examinations await.
It's to make sure everything is as it should be, to check that you're injury-free. Of course, I need some rest, to restore my body.
Going forward, the NBA summer league awaits, and then the focus will be on the European Championship and the national team.
No one has seen us (the national team) at full strength yet. We have several players who have taken big individual steps, says Larsson, mentioning names like Melwin Pantzar, Barra Njie, Ludvig Håkanson, Viktor Gaddefors, and Denzel Andersson.
You don't quite know what's waiting, and that makes it a bit fun and special. For me, it's a great honor to play for the national team, says Larsson.
Henrik Skiöld/TT
Facts: Pelle Larsson
TT
Born: February 23, 2001, in Stockholm.
Height: 196 centimeters.
Position: Forward/guard.
Club: Miami Heat.
Debut season in the NBA: Played 59 matches (regular season and playoffs). Larsson averaged 14.2 minutes and 4.6 points per match in the regular season. In the four playoff matches, he averaged 13 minutes and 5 points.
Current: Miami was eliminated from the playoffs on Tuesday night. Cleveland Cavaliers won the quarterfinals in four straight matches. Larsson has given the green light to play in the European Championship with the national team in August. Sweden will face Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Montenegro, and Lithuania in the group stage in Tammerfors, August 27–September 3. The four best teams will advance to the quarterfinals. The men's basketball team has not played in the European Championship since 2013.
