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Peja Stojaković

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Predrag Stojaković (Serbian Cyrillic: Предраг Стојаковић, pronounced [ˌprêdraːɡ ˈstôjaːkoʋit͜ɕ]; born 9 June 1977), known by his nickname Peja (Peđa, Пеђа, pronounced [ˈpêd͡ʑa]), is a Serbian professional basketball executive and former player who was most recently the assistant general manager and director of player personnel and development of the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was inducted into the Greek Basket League Hall of Fame in 2022.[1]

Peja Stojaković
Stojaković with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011
Personal information
Born (1977-06-09) 9 June 1977 (age 47)
Slavonska Požega, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia
NationalitySerbian / Greek
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight229 lb (104 kg)
Career information
NBA draft1996: 1st round, 14th overall pick
Selected by the Sacramento Kings
Playing career1992–2011
PositionSmall forward
Number8, 16
Career history
1992–1993Crvena zvezda
1993–1998PAOK
1998–2006Sacramento Kings
2006Indiana Pacers
2006–2010New Orleans Hornets
2010–2011Toronto Raptors
2011Dallas Mavericks
Career highlights and awards
As a player:
Career statistics
Points13,647 (17.0 ppg)
Rebounds3,782 (4.7 rpg)
Assists1,408 (1.8 apg)
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
FIBA Hall of Fame
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing Federal Republic of Yugoslavia FR Yugoslavia
FIBA World Cup
Gold medal – first place 2002 Indianapolis
FIBA EuroBasket
Bronze medal – third place 1999 France
Gold medal – first place 2001 Turkey

Standing at 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m), Stojaković played mostly as a small forward. He won the NBA Three-Point Contest two times during the All-Star Weekend competitions. Stojaković made 1,760 three-point field goals in his career which ranked 4th all-time at the point of his retirement.[2] He currently ranks 27th in this category.[3]

After starting in Crvena zvezda and while playing for PAOK, Stojaković was drafted 14th 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 helped to lead the senior FR 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, Stojaković 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. HoopsHype named Stojaković one of the 75 Greatest International Players Ever in 2021.[4]

On 19 December 2011 he announced his retirement from playing professional basketball.[5] On 16 December 2014 the Sacramento Kings retired his number.[6]

Early life

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Predrag "Peja" Stojaković was born into an ethnic Serb family, to parents Miodrag and Branka Stojaković, in Požega, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia. The Stojakovićs hail from the Papuk mountain region.[7] However, his family later fled to Belgrade, at the start of the Yugoslav wars.[8][7]

In 1993, at the age of 16, Stojaković moved to Thessaloniki, Greece. Stojaković's father stayed behind in his homeland, and fought in the Army of the Republic of Serbian Krajina, against the Croatian Army, until the fall of western Slavonia, in 1995, when he joined his son in Thessaloniki.[7] Many of Stojaković's relatives now live in Serbia.[7]

Professional career

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Red Star Belgrade (1992–1993)

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At 15 years of age, Stojaković joined the Crvena zvezda (Red Star Belgrade) basketball club. With Red Star, he played in 2 senior men's level seasons (1992–93 and 1993–94 seasons). With the club, he also won a FR Yugoslav national championship, in the 1992–93 season. In the 1993–94 season, he only played in the FR Yugoslav national cup tournament. With Red Star, he played in a total of 39 games, in which he scored a total of 113 points, for a scoring average of 2.9 points per game.[9]

PAOK Thessaloniki (1993–1998)

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Stojaković moved to Greece in 1993, at the age of 16, and joined the Greek League club PAOK Thessaloniki[10] one year later. With PAOK, he won the 1994–95 Greek Cup tournament. He also played in the European-wide secondary level FIBA European Cup (FIBA Saporta Cup)'s 1995–96 season's Final.

Stojaković scored a memorable last-second three-pointer against Olympiacos, in Piraeus, in a 1998 Greek League playoff semifinals series, which won the game for PAOK, by a score of 58–55.[11] That victory, which ended the five-year reign of Olympiacos as Greek League champions, allowed PAOK to face Panathinaikos in the league's finals series, although the club had a disadvantage in home games, and ultimately lost the five game series (and the league's championship) 3–2. Stojaković, who was closely guarded throughout the series by his future head coach in New Orleans, Byron Scott, who was wrapping up his basketball playing career, as one of Panathinaikos' key players, 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 European-wide top level EuroLeague's 1997–98 season.[12]

Sacramento Kings (1998–2006)

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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 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. Stojaković's number 16 was retired by the Sacramento Kings on 16 December 2014.[13]

Indiana Pacers (2006)

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On 25 January 2006 Stojaković was traded to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for forward Ron Artest, ending his eight-year tenure with the Kings.[14] However, he missed four games of their first round playoff series with the New Jersey Nets, all losses.

New Orleans Hornets (2006–2010)

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During the 2006 offseason, he agreed to a deal with the then-New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets worth $64 million over five years.[15] On 14 November 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.[16] 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.[17] 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)

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On 20 November 2010 Stojaković was traded to the Toronto Raptors along with Jerryd Bayless in exchange for Jarrett Jack, Marcus Banks, and David Andersen.[18]

After appearing in only two games, on 20 January 2011, Stojaković was released by the Raptors. He had missed 26 games due to a left knee injury.[19]

Dallas Mavericks (2011)

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On 24 January 2011 Stojaković signed a deal with the Dallas Mavericks.[20] The Mavericks won the NBA championship that year,[21] with Stojaković averaging 7.1 points per game during the Mavericks' playoff run.[22] He scored more than 20 points in two different playoff games for the Mavericks.[22]

On 19 December 2011 Stojaković announced his retirement, citing ongoing back and neck problems that hindered his play later in his career.[5]

Post-playing career

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In August 2015, Stojaković was appointed director of player personnel and development for the Sacramento Kings.[23] In May 2018, Stojaković was announced as Assistant General Manager.[24] In this role, he is serving as General Manager for the Stockton Kings, the Kings' NBA Development League affiliate.[25] On 15 August 2020 the Sacramento Kings announced that Stojaković had stepped down from his position of assistant general manager.[26]

National team career

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As a member of the senior FR Yugoslavia national basketball team, Stojaković earned a bronze medal at the 1999 edition of the FIBA EuroBasket, which was held in France. He also competed at the 2000 edition of the Summer Olympic Games.[27]

He also won gold medals at the 2001 FIBA EuroBasket, which was held in Turkey, and at the 2002 edition of the FIBA World Championship, which was held in Indianapolis, Indiana. Stojaković was named the MVP of the 2001 FIBA EuroBasket, and he was also named a member of the FIBA World Championship All-Tournament Team at Indianapolis, in 2002. Joining him on that All-Tournament Team were fellow NBA stars Manu Ginóbili, Dirk Nowitzki, and Yao Ming, as well as New Zealand's Pero Cameron.

He finished out his national team career at EuroBasket 2003 where the newly formed Serbia and Montenegro finished sixth.

Personal life

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Stojaković acquired full Greek citizenship at the age of 17, while he was playing with PAOK in Greece.[28][29] His name, in Greek transliteration, is Prentragk "Petza" Kinis Stogiakovits (Greek: Πρέντραγκ "Πέτζα" Κίνης Στογιάκοβιτς). Stojaković also speaks Greek.[30][31]

He is married to Greek model Aleka Kamila. The couple has three children, including Andrej (born 2004), who currently plays basketball for the California Golden Bears. [32] [33] In 2014, the family lived in Glyfada, Greece.[34]

Stojaković served in the Hellenic Army, a mandatory service by each male Greek citizen.[35][36] 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.

NBA career statistics

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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
 †  Won an NBA championship  *  Led the league

Regular season

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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
Indiana 40 40 36.4 .461 .404 .903 6.3 1.7 .7 .2 19.5
2006–07 New Orleans 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
Toronto 2 0 11.0 .700 .667 1.000 1.5 .5 .0 .0 10.0
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

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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

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See also

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Notes

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References

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  1. ^ Greek League Hall of Fame welcomes Ford, Bodiroga, Radja, Wilkins, Tarpley.
  2. ^ "Sharpshooter Stojakovic decides on retirement". ESPN.com. 2011-12-19. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  3. ^ "NBA & ABA Career Leaders and Records for 3-Pt Field Goals". www.basketball-reference.com. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  4. ^ 75 greatest international players ever: The HoopsHype list.
  5. ^ a b Stein, Marc (December 19, 2011). "Peđa Stojaković to retire after 13 years". ESPN. Retrieved December 19, 2011.
  6. ^ "Sacramento Kings to Retire Jersey of Peja Stojaković". NBA.com. September 16, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  7. ^ a b c d Vulić Zarić, Zorica. "Ko je ovaj čovek: Predrag Stojaković". glas-javnosti.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  8. ^ Ozmo, Saša (December 21, 2011). "Predrag Stojaković – kraj blistave karijere". b92.net (in Serbian). Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  9. ^ На данашњи дан: Рођен Предраг Стојаковић (in Serbian).
  10. ^ "PAOKWorld.com Αφιέρωμα στον Στογιάκοβιτς {{in lang|el}}". Archived from the original on November 23, 2018. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  11. ^ PAOK @ Olympiacos; the last 4 minutes of the game on YouTube
  12. ^ FIBAEurope.com Predrag Stojakovic (PAOK THESSALONIKI BC) ACCUMULATED STATISTICS.
  13. ^ The Sacramento Kings Retire Peja Stojakovic's Jersey
  14. ^ "Pacers: Artest-for-Peja deal finally done". ESPN. January 25, 2006. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  15. ^ "Hornets complete deal for Stojakovic". NBA.com. July 13, 2006. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  16. ^ a b "Stojaković feat historic", NOLA.com, November 19, 2006, accessed February 11, 2008.
  17. ^ "Peja Stojakovic Finding his Game in New Orleans, 2008 Playoffs". Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  18. ^ "Raptors Acquire Bayless, Stojaković And Cash Considerations From New Orleans". NBA.com. November 20, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  19. ^ "Raptors Release Peja Stojaković". NBA.com. January 20, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  20. ^ "Peja Stojaković signs with Mavs". ESPN. January 24, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2011.
  21. ^ Beck, Howard (June 12, 2011). "Mavericks Defeat Heat for First Title". The New York Times. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  22. ^ a b Stojakovic NBA.com profile
  23. ^ Kings' Divac adds title of general manager
  24. ^ "Kings Name Peja Stojakovic Assistant General Manager". NBA.com.
  25. ^ "Stojakovic introduced as Bighorns GM".
  26. ^ "Peja Stojakovic Steps Down As Kings Assistant GM". NBA.com. August 15, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  27. ^ Yugoslav Olympic participants by sports – Basketball, OKS.org.yu, accessed February 1, 2008.
  28. ^ "PAOKWorld.gr Αφιέρωμα στον Στογιάκοβιτς {{in lang|el}}". Archived from the original on November 23, 2018. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  29. ^ "Stojaković's trade demand leaves Kings on verge of breakup". Sports Illustrated. August 11, 2004. Archived from the original on August 13, 2004. Retrieved December 19, 2011.
  30. ^ Peja: “PAOK is the most beautiful team in the world”.
  31. ^ Πρέντραγκ Στογιάκοβιτς: ... στην ωραιότερη ομάδα του κόσμου (in Greek).
  32. ^ "Andrej Stojakovic - Men's Basketball".
  33. ^ Αλέκα Καμηλά – Πρέντραγκ Στογιάκοβιτς: Στη Χαλκιδική με τα τρία παιδιά τους (in Greek). FTHIS.gr.
  34. ^ Α. Καμηλά – Π. Στογιάκοβιτς: Αγόρασαν βίλα στη Γλυφάδα! (in Greek). NewsIt.gr. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014.
  35. ^ Sheridan, Chris (July 28, 2004). "Stojakovic scratches Olympics". Usatoday.Com. Retrieved December 19, 2011.
  36. ^ "Stojakovic willing to play for Kings if not moved – NBA – ESPN". ESPN. October 1, 2004. Retrieved December 19, 2011.
  37. ^ Career Leaders and Records for Free Throw Pct Archived August 5, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, basketball-reference.com, accessed April 15, 2009.
  38. ^ Career Leaders and Records for 3-Pt Field Goals Archived April 16, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, basketball-reference.com, accessed April 15, 2009.
  39. ^ Career Playoff Leaders and Records for Free Throw Pct, basketball-reference.com, accessed May 25, 2008.
  40. ^ Career Leaders and Records for 3-Pt Field Goal Attempts, basketball-reference.com, accessed April 15, 2009.
  41. ^ a b "10 Things You Should Know About Peja Stojaković", Pacers.com, January 25, 2006, accessed February 1, 2008.
  42. ^ SuperBasket "Mister Europa" honor roll, FIBAEurope.com, accessed February 21, 2008.
  43. ^ 75 greatest international players ever: The HoopsHype list.
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