So far, more than 30 Serbian basketball players have experienced the courts of the world’s strongest basketball league – the NBA. From the pioneers who first opened the doors for Europeans to today’s superstars, Serbs have left a deep mark on American basketball. Here’s an overview of all our players who have ever played in the NBA.
VLADE DIVAC
The first major Serbian basketball player in the NBA, he joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 1989. Later, he shined in Sacramento alongside Peja Stojakovic. Divac remains a pioneer and a symbol of the Serbian NBA journey.
Teams:
Los Angeles Lakers (1989–96; 2004–05)
Charlotte Hornets (1996–98)
Sacramento Kings (1998–2004)
ZARKO PASPALJ
One of the first Europeans to go directly to the NBA without college experience. He spent the 1989–90 season with the San Antonio Spurs before returning to Europe, where he became a legend.
Teams:
San Antonio Spurs (1989–90)
MILOS BABIC
One of the first Serbs in the NBA, Babić came from the University of Tennessee and played for Cleveland and Miami in the early 1990s. After his NBA stint, he continued his career abroad.
Here’s something a little different. An @NBA tv slide of former @TTU_Basketball big man, Milos Babic! @TTUGoldenEagles @cavs #WingsUp pic.twitter.com/1cpli4bjWK
— Tennessee Tech Sports Cards (@TTUsportscards) June 29, 2020
Teams:
Cleveland Cavaliers (1990–91)
Miami Heat (1991)
RADISAV CURCIC
The first player from Čačak in the NBA, he played for the Dallas Mavericks in 1992. His NBA chapter was short, but he is remembered as part of the Yugoslav generation of world champions.
Teams:
Dallas Mavericks (1992–93)
PREDRAG DANILOVIC
Played for Miami and Dallas in the mid-1990s. He was valued as an excellent shooter, but injuries affected his NBA career.
Teams:
- Miami Heat (1995-97)
- Dallas Mavericks (1997)
RASTKO CVETKOVIC
Son of Red Star legend Vladimir Cvetković, Rastko played in the NBA in 1995, wearing the Denver Nuggets jersey. Although he played only one season and 14 games, his arrival opened doors for future Serbian basketball players in Colorado.
Teams:
- Denver Nuggets (1995-96)
ALEKSANDAR DJORDJEVIC
“Sale Nacionale” tried his hand in the NBA after success in Europe, but played only eight games for Portland in the 1996/97 season. He quickly returned to the Old Continent where he continued to accumulate successes.
Teams:
- Portland Trail Blazers (1996)
PREDRAG STOJAKOVIC
Icon of the Sacramento Kings and one of the best European shooters in NBA history. Three-time All-Star participant and champion with Dallas, remembered as the face of the “Kings.”
Teams:
- Sacramento Kings (1998-2006)
- Indiana Pacers (2006)
- New Orleans Hornets (2006-10)
- Toronto Raptors (2010-11)
- Dallas Mavericks (2011) 🏆 (‘11)
DRAGAN TARLAC
Chicago Bulls brought him in after Michael Jordan’s championship era. He played 43 games for the Bulls and continued to play and work in European basketball after his NBA career.
Teams:
- Chicago Bulls (2000-01)
VLADIMIR RADMANOVIC
He was part of the NBA for over a decade, playing for six teams including the Lakers and Golden State. Known for his three-point shooting and team role.
We didn’t know it at the time but the 2003-04 Seattle Sonics provided a glimpse into the future when they featured two great “big man” shooters. Rashard Lewis and Vladimir Radmanovic combined for 763 3PA that season – the league high for a tandem of 6’10” (or taller) teammates. pic.twitter.com/kbPeCRb0hn
— NBADeepDives (@NBADeepDives) July 3, 2020
Teams:
- Seattle SuperSonics (2001-06)
- Los Angeles Clippers (2006)
- Los Angeles Lakers (2006-09)
- Charlotte Bobcats (2009)
- Golden State Warriors (2009-11)
- Atlanta Hawks (2011-12)
- Chicago Bulls (2012-13)
ZELJKO REBRACA
Experienced center from Serbia, played for Detroit, Atlanta, and the Clippers. Gained a reputation as a solid NBA player before continuing his career in Europe.
RANDOM ATHLETE OF THE DAY: Željko Rebrača, C (NBA – 2001-05)
TEAMS: Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers
FUN FACT: Rebrača was involved in the trade that sent All-Star forward Rasheed Wallace from Atlanta to Detroit. pic.twitter.com/qANEeMN2p2
— Random Athlete of the Day (@2DaysRandomAth) June 11, 2024
Teams:
- Detroit Pistons (2001-04)
- Atlanta Hawks (2004)
- Los Angeles Clippers (2004-07)
MARKO JARIC
Represented the Clippers, Minnesota, and Memphis. He was a starter for the Clippers and a participant in the Skills Competition during All-Star Weekend. Although for many years he was considered a reliable point guard in the NBA, interestingly, he never played in the playoffs.
Teams:
- Los Angeles Clippers (2002-05)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (2005-08)
- Memphis Grizzlies (2008-09)
PREDRAG SAVOVIC
Played for the Denver Nuggets in the 2002/03 season. After the NBA experience, he built his career in Europe, and today he is a successful businessman.
Predrag Savovic 🇷🇸 of the @nuggets poses during the NBA rookie photo shoot at St. Peter’s Prep on August 4, 2002 in Jersey City, New Jersey. pic.twitter.com/X6JVhY8LBl
— NBA Serbia (@NBASrbija) May 14, 2020
Teams:
- Denver Nuggets (2002-03)
IGOR RAKOCEVIC
Rakočević spent one season in the NBA, playing for Minnesota. Although he did not get a real chance, he later returned to Europe and became one of the best scorers in the EuroLeague.
Teams:
- Minnesota Timberwolves (2002-03)
DARKO MILICIC
Selected as the second pick in the 2003 draft, which is still one of the biggest stories in NBA history. He became the youngest champion in league history but never reached expectations.
Teams:
- Detroit Pistons (2003-06) 🏆 (‘04)
- Orlando Magic (2006-07)
- Memphis Grizzlies (2007-09)
- New York Knicks (2009-10)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (2010-12)
- Boston Celtics (2012)
Read more about this subject:
ALEKSANDAR PAVLOVIC
He spent ten years in the NBA, playing for seven different teams. He is best remembered as a member of Cleveland alongside LeBron James.
Aleksandar (Sasha) Pavlović pic.twitter.com/TGMLGhGOsA
— Primeletics (@primeletics) March 10, 2023
Teams:
- Utah Jazz (2003-04)
- Cleveland Cavaliers (2004-09)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (2009-10)
- Dallas Mavericks (2011)
- New Orleans Hornets (2011)
- Boston Celtics (2011-12)
- Portland Trail Blazers (2012-13)
NENAD KRSTIC
After great performances with Partizan, Krstić played for the Nets, Oklahoma, and Boston starting in 2004. He was a respected center in America, but a knee injury slowed down his progress.
Teams:
- New Jersey Nets (2004-08)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (2008-11)
- Boston Celtics (2011)
MILE ILIC
The popular “Jao Mile” debuted for the New Jersey Nets, where he made five appearances with limited minutes. An injury in the development league slowed his career, so he returned to Europe and later played in the Middle East. Today, he hosts the popular YouTube podcast “Jao Mile.”
Teams:
- New Jersey Nets (2006-07)
KOSTA PEROVIC
He went straight from Partizan to the Golden State Warriors, where he played seven games in the 2007/08 season. Although he didn’t manage to establish himself in the NBA, he continued a successful career in Europe, including in Barcelona.
Kosta Perović 🇷🇸 of the @warriors during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Oracle Arena on March 27, 2008 in Oakland.
Perović was the tallest player taken in the 2006 NBA Draft – 2.18 m (7 ft 2 in). #NBASerbia pic.twitter.com/kyrdiS5GqY
— NBA Serbia (@NBASrbija) May 17, 2020
Teams:
- Golden State Warriors (2007-08)
OGNJEN KUZMIC
A center who won an NBA ring with Golden State in 2015. Besides the NBA championship ring, Kuzmić also won the EuroLeague with Real Madrid, making him the only Serbian with both trophies.
Teams:
- Golden State Warriors (2013-15) 🏆 (’15)
NEMANJA NEDOVIC
In the 2013/14 season, Nedović wore the Golden State jersey. He was part of Steph Curry’s team but couldn’t secure more playing time. After one NBA season, he returned to Europe and continued building an impressive career.
Teams:
- Golden State Warriors (2013-14)
MIROSLAV RADULJICA
He spent two seasons in the NBA, playing for Milwaukee and Minnesota. His stay in America was brief, but he continued a successful career across three continents.
Miroslav Raduljica pic.twitter.com/fLAMWXTzqA
— Matthew O’Leary (@mjoleary2016) October 7, 2020
Teams:
- Milwaukee Bucks (2013-14)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (2015)
NIKOLA JOKIC
Three-time MVP, NBA champion, and Finals MVP, Jokić has become the symbol of modern Denver and one of the best players in league history. His name is engraved in golden letters among the greatest basketball players of all time.
Teams:
- Denver Nuggets (since 2015) 🏆 (’23)
NEMANJA BJELICA
After success in Europe, Bjelica spent seven seasons in the NBA, playing for Minnesota, Sacramento, Miami, and Golden State. With the Warriors, he became an NBA champion in 2022.
Teams:
- Minnesota Timberwolves (2015-18)
- Sacramento Kings (2018-21)
- Miami Heat (2021)
- Golden State Warriors (2021-22) 🏆 (’22)
BOGDAN BOGDANOVIC
Since 2017, he has played in the NBA, first for Sacramento and then for Atlanta. He became a team leader and one of the league’s best shooters, as well as the captain of the Serbian national team.
Teams:
- Sacramento Kings (2017-20)
- Atlanta Hawks (2020-25)
- Los Angeles Clippers (since 2025)
MILOS TEODOSIC
As a great European maestro, he joined the Clippers in 2017. In the NBA, he showcased his recognizable style of play, but injuries and limited minutes accelerated his return to Europe.
Teams:
- Los Angeles Clippers (2017-19)
BOBAN MARJANOVIC
One of the most beloved and recognizable Serbs in the NBA. Bobi has played for San Antonio, Detroit, the Clippers, Philadelphia, Dallas, and Houston. He became a prominent figure off the court as well, charming fans with his personality.
Teams:
- San Antonio Spurs (2015-16)
- Detroit Pistons (2016-18)
- Los Angeles Clippers (2018-19)
- Philadelphia 76ers (2019)
- Dallas Mavericks (2019-22)
- Houston Rockets (2022-24)
MARKO GUDURIC
Played one season (2019/20) for the Memphis Grizzlies. After his NBA stint, he returned to Fenerbahçe, where he regained his top form.
Teams:
- Memphis Grizzlies (2019-20)
ALEN SMAILAGIC
Came from Belgrade’s Beko to Golden State, where he spent two seasons and played 29 games. After his NBA experience, he returned to Europe, but he still has time on his side.
Teams:
- Golden State Warriors (2019-21)
ALEKSEJ POKUSEVSKI
One of the youngest Serbs in NBA history, he debuted in 2020 with Oklahoma City. After a few NBA seasons, he returned to Europe, but his potential remains unquestionable.
Teams:
- Oklahoma City Thunder (2020-24)
- Charlotte Hornets (2024)
NIKOLA JOVIC
One of the youngest Serbs in the NBA, Jović has been playing for the Miami Heat since 2022. He has already shown potential and is part of a promising new generation.
Teams:
- Miami Heat (since 2022)
FILIP PETRUSEV
Debuted in the NBA in 2023, briefly playing for Philadelphia and Sacramento. He scored his first points with the Kings but soon returned to Europe. His career is still ahead, and a return to the league is possible.
🏀 O jogador sérvio Filip Petrusev foi mandado embora de Sacramento.
Ele assinou hoje para jogar pelo Olympiacos da Grécia.#LightTheBeam pic.twitter.com/2kqW1Oxikc
— Central Sacramento Kings 🦁🇧🇷 (@CentralDoKings) November 28, 2023
Teams:
- Philadelphia 76ers (2023)
- Sacramento Kings (2023)
VASILIJE MICIC
Longtime Efes star and two-time EuroLeague champion, he reached the NBA in 2023. He first played for Oklahoma City, then Charlotte, where he finally got a real chance. He later returned to Europe, joining Hapoel.
Teams:
- Oklahoma City Thunder (2023-24)
- Charlotte Hornets (2024-25)
- Phoenix Suns (2025)
TRISTAN VUKCEVIC
Drafted by the Washington Wizards in 2023. The young player is still building his NBA name, but he is expected to become part of the new generation of Serbian stars in the league.
Teams:
- Washington Wizards (since 2024)
NIKOLA TOPIC
Entered the NBA as a top talent, shown by the high 12th pick in which Oklahoma drafted him. He did not play in his first NBA season due to injury recovery, but he still earned an NBA title.
Teams:
- Oklahoma City Thunder (since 2025) 🏆 (’25)
