Warriors’ Jonas Jerebko looks to put Swedish basketball on map

Jonas Jerebko, the Golden State Warriors recently acquired free agent center, speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at team headquarters, Monday, July 16, 2018 in Oakland, Calif. Jonas Jerebko, the Golden State Warriors recently acquired free agent center, speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at team headquarters, Monday, July 16, 2018 in Oakland, Calif. Photo: D. Ross Cameron / Special To The Chronicle Buy photo Photo: D. Ross Cameron / Special To The Chronicle Image 1 of / 8 Caption Close Warriors’ Jonas Jerebko looks to put Swedish basketball on map 1 / 8 Back to Gallery

The NBA might be a global brand, but it has yet to catch on in Sweden.

In the Scandinavian country, where more than half of the 10.2 million citizens participate in organized athletics, handball, floorball and bandy remain more popular than basketball.

“I’m trying to do everything I can to get it bigger over there,” said Jonas Jerebko, the only Swede playing in the NBA. “I don’t know, it’s tough. They’d rather watch skiing or sports you’ve never even heard of.”

Still, there is reason for optimism: In recent summers, while visiting his hometown of Kinna, Jerebko has noticed a growing number of Stephen Curry jerseys. Now Curry’s teammate on the Warriors, Jerebko hopes to bring more attention to the cause and inspire the next generation of Swedish players.

It is part of why he didn’t hesitate when his agent told him July 7 that Golden State was interested in signing him to a one-year, veteran-minimum deal of $2.1 million. Hours removed from being waived by Utah, Jerebko knew that chasing a championship with a cast of All-Stars could help him make basketball relevant in his home country. There was no need to wait on more lucrative offers.

“When the best team in the world calls, you answer,” Jerebko said during his introductory media availability Monday at the Warriors’ practice facility. “It’s an exciting time for me, and it’s an exciting time for Sweden.”

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In Jerebko, Golden State sees a potential solution to one of its most nagging weaknesses: three-point shooting off the bench.

The Warriors signed Omri Casspi last summer to help in that category, only to see him attempt just 22 three-pointers before being waived in April to free up a playoff roster spot for Quinn Cook. A team known for its long-range exploits finished the season last in the NBA in three-point production off the bench and 22nd in bench scoring.

A career 36.3 percent shooter from deep, Jerebko’s 65 three-pointers last season would have ranked second among Golden State’s bench players behind Nick Young. Though a so-so defender with limited low-post moves, the 6-foot-10 forward should benefit from the spacing the Warriors provide.

Last season, while surrounded by far less prolific three-point shooters than Curry or Klay Thompson, Jerebko took nearly half of his shots from beyond the arc and hit 41.4 percent of them — his best since 2013-14. It bodes well for the Warriors that he drained 53 percent of his corner three-pointers, a prized shot in Golden State’s system.

Jerebko, who spoke to head coach Steve Kerr shortly after agreeing to terms, expects minutes to be sporadic next season. Jerebko’s assignment will be simple: hit open three-point shots, play solid positional defense and ease the All-Stars’ regular-season workload.

One of only two Swedish-born players to reach the NBA, Jerebko, 31, recognizes that he already has beaten the odds.

The son of former Syracuse forward Chris Jerebko, he grew up in a country where most of the sports icons play hockey, tennis or soccer. NBA games are seldom televised in Sweden. The men’s basketball national team has not placed better than 11th at EuroBasket or qualified for the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

In 2007, Jerebko gave up a scholarship to the University of Buffalo to pursue a professional career in Italy. Three years later, after going to Detroit with the No. 39 pick of the 2009 draft, he was an All-Rookie second-team pick. Jerebko missed the 2010-11 season to rehab an Achilles injury before resurfacing as a valued bench player with the Pistons, Celtics and Jazz.

Long before he joined the back-to-back champions, Jerebko had cemented himself as the most accomplished basketball player in Sweden’s history. His 562 career NBA games more than quadruple the number logged by the only other Swedish-born player to make the league, former Vanderbilt forward Jeffery Taylor.

“I’ve played in this league for 10 years, and a kid from Sweden could never dream of that,” said Jerebko, who hopes to see more Curry jerseys when he makes his annual trip to Kinna next week. “So, I’m happy with where I’m at right now.”

Connor Letourneau is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cletourneau@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Con_Chron