Peja Stojaković

Peja Stojaković

Stojaković with the Mavericks in 2011
Reno Bighorns
Position General Manager
League NBA Development League
Personal information
Born (1977-06-09) June 9, 1977
Slavonska Požega, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia
Nationality Serbian
Listed height 6 ft 9.9 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight 220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
NBA draft 1996 / Round: 1 / Pick: 14th overall
Selected by the Sacramento Kings
Playing career 1992–2011
Position Small forward
Number 16
Career history
1992–1994 Crvena zvezda
1994–1998 PAOK
1998–2006 Sacramento Kings
2006 Indiana Pacers
2006–2010 New Orleans Hornets
2010–2011 Toronto Raptors
2011 Dallas Mavericks
Career highlights and awards
Career statistics
Points 13,647 (17.0 ppg)
Rebounds 3,782 (4.7 rpg)
Assists 1,408 (1.8 apg)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Yugoslavia
FIBA World Cup
2002 Indianapolis National team
FIBA EuroBasket
1999 France National team
2001 Turkey National team

Predrag Stojaković (Serbian Cyrillic: Предраг Стојаковић, pronounced [ˌprêdraːɡ ˈstôjaːkoʋit͜ɕ]; born June 9, 1977), also known by his nickname Peja (sr. Peđa/Pedja/Пеђа, pronounced [ˈpêd͡ʑa]), is a Serbian professional basketball executive and former player. He is currently the director of player personnel and development for the Sacramento Kings and the general manager for the Reno Bighorns, Sacramento's NBA D-League affiliate.[1]

Standing at 6 ft 10 (2.08 m), Stojaković played mostly at the small forward position. He won the NBA Three-point shootout two times, and was the first European-born player to win one of the All-Star Weekend competitions. Stojaković made 1,760 three-point field goals in his career which ranked 10th all-time at the point of his retirement.

After starting in Crvena zvezda and while playing for PAOK, Stojaković was drafted fourteenth overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 1996 NBA draft. In the NBA, he had a breakthrough season in 2000–01 following two seasons on the bench, averaging 20.4 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting .400 from three-point range in his first season as a starter. He finished second in voting for the 2001 Most Improved Player Award. A three-time All-star and a member of the 2004 All-NBA Second Team, Stojaković enjoyed success with the Kings reaching the 2002 Western Conference Finals. He also played for the Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Hornets and Toronto Raptors. Stojaković won an NBA Championship in 2011 as a member of the Dallas Mavericks.

Stojaković led the Yugoslavian national team to gold medals in the 2001 FIBA EuroBasket and the 2002 FIBA World Championship. Often considered to be one of the greatest European basketball players ever, Peđa was named the Euroscar Basketball Player of the Year by the Italian sports newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport and the Mister Europa Player of the Year twice by the Italian sports magazine Superbasket.

On December 19, 2011, he announced his retirement from basketball.[2] On December 16, 2014, the Sacramento Kings retired his number.[3]

Professional career

Stojaković was born into an ethnic Serb family, to parents Miodrag and Branka Stojaković, in Požega, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia, but his family fled to Belgrade at the start of the Yugoslav wars.[4][5] His father stayed and fought in the Army of the Republic of Serbian Krajina against the Croatian Army until the fall of Western Slavonia (1995), after which he joined his son in Thessaloniki.[5] The Stojakovićs hail from the Papuk mountain region.[5] Many of his relatives now live in Serbia.[5] At 15 years of age (1991–92), he joined the KK Crvena zvezda, for whom he played 2 senior seasons, and won a national championship.

PAOK (1994–1998)

Stojaković moved to Greece at the age of 16, and joined the Greek League club PAOK.[6] Peja, as he was known during his time in PAOK, scored a memorable last-second three-pointer against Olympiacos in Piraeus in the 1998 Greek playoff semi-finals series, winning the match 58–55 for PAOK.[7] That victory, which ended the five-year reign of Olympiacos as Greek League champions, allowed PAOK to face Panathinaikos in the finals series, although the club had a disadvantage in home games, and ultimately lost the series (and the league) 3–2. Stojaković was closely guarded throughout the series by his future coach in New Orleans, Byron Scott, who was wrapping up his basketball career as one of Panathinaikos' main stars, and did not play at his normal level.

In his final season with PAOK, Stojaković averaged 23.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game in the Greek League, and 20.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game in the EuroLeague 1997–98 season.[8]

Sacramento Kings (1998–2006)

Stojaković was selected by the Sacramento Kings in the first round (14th overall pick) of the 1996 NBA draft while playing in Greece. He continued to play there until the Kings signed him prior to the 1998–99 NBA lockout season. After two seasons on the bench with Sacramento, he had a breakthrough season in 2000–01, averaging 20.4 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting .400 from three-point range in his first season as a starter. He finished second in voting for the 2001 Most Improved Player Award.

In 2001–02, he played in the NBA All-Star Game for the first time. His scoring average went up to 21.2 ppg, and he reached career highs in shooting percentage (.484) and three-point percentage (.416). His scoring average dropped slightly to 19.2 ppg in 2002–03, but he played again in the All-Star Game. In both seasons, he won the three-point shooting contest conducted during All-Star Weekend.

In 2003–04, Stojaković was again selected as an All-Star, and finished second in the league in scoring with a career-high 24.2 ppg. He finished fourth in MVP voting and was voted on to the All-NBA 2nd Team. He also led the NBA in free-throw percentage (.933) and three-pointers made for the season (240). In 2004–05, he missed 16 games to injury, and was somewhat hampered in several games, but still averaged 20.1 ppg. Peja's number 16 was retired by the Sacramento Kings on December 16, 2014.[9]

Indiana Pacers (2006)

On January 25, 2006, Stojaković was traded to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for forward Ron Artest, ending his eight-year tenure with the Kings.[10] However, he missed four games of their first round playoff series with the New Jersey Nets, all losses.

New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets (2006–2010)

During the 2006 offseason, he agreed to a deal with the then-New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets worth $64 million over five years.[11] On November 14, 2006, Stojaković scored a career-high 42 points against the Charlotte Bobcats, and became the first player in NBA history to open the game with 20 straight points for his team.[12] His strong start to the season was halted by injuries, as a result missing all but the first 13 games of the 2006–07 season.

Stojaković bounced back the following season, starting all 77 games he played in, and was a key contributor in helping the Hornets win a franchise-record 56 games, and their first ever division title. In the first two games of their second round match-up against the defending champion San Antonio Spurs, both wins, Stojaković averaged 23.5 points per game while shooting 63.7% from the three-point line.[13] The Hornets ultimately lost to the Spurs in seven games, ending their run.

The Hornets core of Chris Paul, Tyson Chandler, David West and Stojaković would keep the Hornets in contention the following year, but injuries and the trade of Chandler forced New Orleans into a team rebuild, making the veteran Stojaković expendable.

Toronto Raptors (2010–2011)

On November 20, 2010, Stojaković was traded to the Toronto Raptors along with Jerryd Bayless in exchange for Jarrett Jack, Marcus Banks, and David Andersen.[14]

After appearing in only two games, on January 20, 2011, Stojaković was released by the Raptors. He had missed 26 games due to a left knee injury.[15]

Dallas Mavericks and retirement (2011)

On January 24, 2011 he signed a deal with the Dallas Mavericks.[16] The Mavericks won the NBA championship that year,[17] with Stojaković averaging 7.1 points per game during the Mavericks' playoff run.[18] Stojaković scored more than 20 points in two different playoff games for the Mavericks.[18]

On December 19, 2011, Stojaković announced his retirement, citing ongoing back and neck problems that hindered his play later in his career.[2]

Post-playing career

In August 2015, Stojaković was appointed director of player personnel and development for the Sacramento Kings.[19] In this role, he is serving as General Manager for the Reno Bighorns, the Kings' NBA Development League affiliate.[20]

National team career

As a member of the FR Yugoslavia national basketball team, he earned a bronze medal at the 1999 FIBA EuroBasket, held in France, as well as gold medals at the 2001 FIBA EuroBasket, held in Turkey, and the 2002 FIBA World Championship, held in Indianapolis, Indiana. He also participated at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games.[21] Stojaković was named the MVP of FIBA EuroBasket 2001, and was a member of the All-Tournament Team in Indianapolis in 2002, along with fellow NBA stars Manu Ginóbili, Dirk Nowitzki, and Yao Ming, as well as New Zealand's Pero Cameron.

Personal life

Stojaković acquired full Greek citizenship at the age of 17, while he was playing with PAOK in Greece.[22][23] His name, in Greek transliteration, is Prentragk "Petza" Kinis Stogiakovits (Greek: Πρέντραγκ "Πέτζα" Κίνης Στογιάκοβιτς). Stojaković also speaks Greek fluently.[24][25]

He is married to Greek model Aleka Kamila and the couple have three children.[26] The family lives in Glyfada, Greece.[27]

Stojaković served in the Hellenic Army, a mandatory service by each male Greek citizen.[28][29] He also runs the "Peja Stojaković Children's Foundation", which is a charity that is designed to help improve the lives of children in the Balkan countries of Serbia, Montenegro, and Greece.

The favourite team of his family is Crvena zvezda, for which he played professionally in 1992–1994.[30]

NBA career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
† Denotes season in which Stojaković's team won the NBA championship

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1998–99 Sacramento 48 1 21.4 .378 .320 .851 3.0 1.5 .9 .1 8.4
1999–2000 Sacramento 74 11 23.6 .448 .375 .882 3.7 1.4 .7 .1 11.9
2000–01 Sacramento 75 75 38.7 .470 .400 .856 5.8 2.2 1.2 .2 20.4
2001–02 Sacramento 71 71 37.3 .484 .416 .876 5.3 2.5 1.1 .2 21.2
2002–03 Sacramento 72 72 34.0 .481 .382 .875 5.5 2.0 1.0 .1 19.2
2003–04 Sacramento 81 81 40.3 .480 .433 .927 6.3 2.1 1.3 .2 24.2
2004–05 Sacramento 66 66 38.4 .444 .402 .920 4.3 2.1 1.2 .2 20.1
2005–06 Sacramento 31 31 37.0 .403 .397 .933 5.3 2.2 .6 .1 16.5
2005–06 Indiana 40 40 36.4 .461 .404 .903 6.3 1.7 .7 .2 19.5
2006–07 New Orleans/Oklahoma City 13 13 32.7 .423 .405 .816 4.2 .8 .6 .3 17.8
2007–08 New Orleans 77 77 35.2 .440 .441 .929 4.3 1.2 .7 .1 16.4
2008–09 New Orleans 61 59 34.2 .399 .378 .894 4.3 1.2 .9 .0 13.3
2009–10 New Orleans 62 55 31.4 .404 .375 .897 3.7 1.5 .8 .1 12.6
2010–11 New Orleans 6 0 14.8 .424 .440 .857 1.0 1.0 .3 .0 7.5
2010–11 Toronto 2 0 11.0 .700 .667 1.000 1.5 .5 .0 .0 10.0
2010–11† Dallas 25 13 20.2 .429 .400 .938 2.6 .9 .4 .1 8.6
Career 804 665 33.5 .450 .401 .895 4.7 1.8 .9 .1 17.0
All-Star 3 0 14.7 .364 .385 .000 2.0 1.0 .3 .0 7.0

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1999 Sacramento 5 0 21.6 .346 .214 1.000 3.8 .4 .6 .0 4.8
2000 Sacramento 5 0 25.8 .400 .462 .667 3.4 .6 .8 .0 8.8
2001 Sacramento 8 8 38.4 .406 .346 .968 6.4 .4 .6 .4 21.6
2002 Sacramento 10 7 33.8 .376 .271 .897 6.3 1.0 .5 .0 14.8
2003 Sacramento 12 12 40.5 .480 .457 .850 6.9 2.5 .8 .4 23.1
2004 Sacramento 12 12 43.1 .384 .315 .897 7.0 1.5 1.8 .3 17.5
2005 Sacramento 5 5 40.4 .470 .367 .955 5.2 1.4 .8 .2 22.0
2006 Indiana 2 2 25.5 .444 .000 .857 4.5 2.0 .5 .5 11.0
2008 New Orleans 12 12 37.9 .436 .549 .926 5.4 .5 .5 .1 14.1
2009 New Orleans 5 5 32.4 .367 .308 .923 2.8 .4 .8 .2 11.2
2011† Dallas 19 0 18.4 .408 .377 .778 1.7 .4 .6 .1 7.1
Career 95 63 32.7 .418 .376 .900 4.9 1.0 .8 .2 14.4

Awards and achievements

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.nba.com/kings/roster/peja_stojakovic
  2. 1 2 Stein, Marc (December 19, 2011). "Peđa Stojaković to retire after 13 years". ESPN. Retrieved December 19, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Sacramento Kings to Retire Jersey of Peja Stojaković". NBA.com. September 16, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  4. ↑ Ozmo, Saša (21 December 2011). "Predrag Stojaković – kraj blistave karijere". b92.net (in Serbian). Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Vulić Zarić, Zorica. "Ko je ovaj čovek:Predrag Stojaković". glas-javnosti.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  6. ↑ PAOKWorld.com Αφιέρωμα στον Στογιάκοβιτς (in Greek).
  7. ↑ PAOK @ Olympiacos; the last 4 minutes of the game on YouTube
  8. ↑ FIBAEurope.com Predrag Stojakovic (PAOK THESSALONIKI BC) ACCUMULATED STATISTICS.
  9. ↑ The Sacramento Kings Retire Peja Stojakovic's Jersey
  10. ↑ "Pacers: Artest-for-Peja deal finally done". ESPN. 25 January 2006. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  11. ↑ "Hornets complete deal for Stojakovic". NBA.com. 13 July 2006. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  12. 1 2 "Stojaković feat historic", NOLA.com, November 19, 2006, accessed February 11, 2008.
  13. ↑ http://www.interbasket.net/news/245/2008/05/peja-stojakovic-finding-his-game-in-new-orleans-2008-playoffs/
  14. ↑ "Raptors Acquire Bayless, Stojaković And Cash Considerations From New Orleans". NBA.com. 2010-11-20. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  15. ↑ "Raptors Release Peja Stojaković". NBA.com. 2011-01-20. Retrieved 2011-01-20.
  16. ↑ "Peja Stojaković signs with Mavs". ESPN. 2011-01-24. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  17. ↑ Beck, Howard (12 June 2011). "Mavericks Defeat Heat for First Title". nytimes.com. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  18. 1 2 Stojakovic NBA.com profile
  19. ↑ Kings' Divac adds title of general manager
  20. ↑
  21. ↑ Yugoslav Olympic participants by sports – Basketball, OKS.org.yu, accessed February 1, 2008.
  22. ↑ PAOKWorld.gr Αφιέρωμα στον Στογιάκοβιτς (in Greek).
  23. ↑ "Stojaković's trade demand leaves Kings on verge of breakup". Sports Illustrated. 2004-08-11. Archived from the original on August 13, 2004. Retrieved 2011-12-19.
  24. ↑ Peja: “PAOK is the most beautiful team in the world”.
  25. ↑ Πρέντραγκ Στογιάκοβιτς: ... στην ωραιότερη ομάδα του κόσμου (in Greek).
  26. ↑ Αλέκα Καμηλά – Πρέντραγκ Στογιάκοβιτς: Στη Χαλκιδική με τα τρία παιδιά τους (in Greek). FTHIS.gr.
  27. ↑ Α. Καμηλά – Π. Στογιάκοβιτς: Αγόρασαν βίλα στη Γλυφάδα! (in Greek). NewsIt.gr.
  28. ↑ Sheridan, Chris (2004-07-28). "Stojakovic scratches Olympics". Usatoday.Com. Retrieved 2011-12-19.
  29. ↑ "Stojakovic willing to play for Kings if not moved – NBA – ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. 2004-10-01. Retrieved 2011-12-19.
  30. ↑ Bukumirović, Daniel (21 December 2011). "Peđa za MONDO: Neću da varam košarku!". mondo.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  31. ↑ Career Leaders and Records for Free Throw Pct, basketball-reference.com, accessed April 15, 2009.
  32. ↑ Career Leaders and Records for 3-Pt Field Goals, basketball-reference.com, accessed April 15, 2009.
  33. ↑ Career Playoff Leaders and Records for Free Throw Pct, basketball-reference.com, accessed May 25, 2008.
  34. ↑ Career Leaders and Records for 3-Pt Field Goal Attempts, basketball-reference.com, accessed April 15, 2009.
  35. 1 2 "10 Things You Should Know About Peja Stojaković", Pacers.com, January 25, 2006, accessed February 1, 2008.
  36. ↑ SuperBasket "Mister Europa" honor roll, FIBAEurope.com, accessed February 21, 2008.
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