Nikola Vujčić

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Nikola Vujčić in Maccabi Tel-Aviv uniform.

Nikola Vujčić (born June 14, 1978) is a professional basketball player from Croatia who is currently with Israel's Maccabi Tel-Aviv basketball club.

Height: 211 cm. Position: Center.

[edit] Career

Vujčić was born in Vrgorac, in inland Dalmatia, Croatia. He made his professional debut with KK Split in 1995-96, coming from the young team of the club. Played there till 2000-01, wearing number 7 that once belonged to former Split star and current NBA player Toni Kukoč. With Split, Vujčić appeared twice in the Croatian playoff final, played 57 Euroleague/Suproleague games and 28 Saporta Cup games.

In 2001 he was signed by Maccabi Tel-Aviv as a replacement for Nate Huffman, who was expected to leave. At the last moment, though, Huffman decided to return for one more season so Maccabi sent Vujčić on loan to French club ASVEL Villeurbanne. Vujčić helped them win the national championship for the first time in 21 years. He also took part in 14 Euroleague games that season, averaging 15.7 points and 6.4 rebounds.

Since 2002-03, Nikola Vujčić plays for Maccabi Tel-Aviv. So far in three seasons with the team he has won two Euroleague titles (2004 and 2005), three domestic championships and three domestic cups. He's likely to remain in Tel-Aviv for at least two more years.

Vujčić's strengths and weaknesses are fairly typical for a center from former Yugoslavia. Though he is not especially athletic or strong, and his defense is questionable, he has some solid moves in the paint, shoots the ball well (including the occasional three-point field goal) and is a deft passer.

Vujčić was the first player in the Euroleague to achieve a triple-double. On November 3, 2005 he finished Maccabi's Euroleague game vs. Prokom Trefl Sopot with 11 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. The game ended with a Maccabi win - 95-68. On November 30, 2006 Vujčić recorded another triple-double, the second ever in Euroleauge's history, in Maccabi's 110-87 win over KK Union Olimpija, with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

As a member of the Croatian national basketball team, Vujčić played at the 1997, 1999, 2001 and 2005 European Championship.