Nikola Vujcic
Encyclopedia
Nikola Vujčić is a Croatia
n professional basketball
player. He is 2.11 m (6 ft 11) tall. He can play at both the center
and power forward
positions. He last played for Efes Pilsen SK
for the 2010–11 season.
) 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 versus Prokom Trefl Sopot
with 11 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. The game ended with a 95–68 Maccabi win. On November 30, 2006, Vujčić recorded another triple-double, the second ever in Euroleague's history, in Maccabi's 110–87 win over Union Olimpija
, with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
, in inland Dalmatia
, Croatia
, in the former Yugoslavia
. 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 former NBA player Toni Kukoč
. With Split, Vujčić appeared twice in the Croatian League
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 French 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
.
From 2002 to 2008, with Maccabi, he won 2 Euroleague
titles (2004 and 2005), 5 Israeli Championships
and 4 Israeli State Cups
with the club.
On June 18, 2008, he signed a two-year contract, worth €
4.5 million euros net income
with Olympiacos
.
On October 25, 2010 he signed a contract with Efes Pilsen
.
, Vujčić played at the EuroBasket 1997
, the EuroBasket 1999
, the EuroBasket 2001
, the EuroBasket 2005
, and the EuroBasket 2009
.
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
n professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. He is 2.11 m (6 ft 11) tall. He can play at both the center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
and power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
positions. He last played for Efes Pilsen SK
Efes Pilsen SK
Anadolu Efes Spor Kulübü also known simply as Anadolu Efes or Efes, formerly known as Efes Pilsen is a professional basketball team based in the city of Istanbul in Turkey....
for the 2010–11 season.
Player profile
Vujčić's strengths and weaknesses are fairly typical for a European center. 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 goalThree-point field goal
A three-point field goal is a field goal in a basketball game, made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc radiating from the basket...
) and is a deft passer.
Vujčić was the first player in the Euroleague
Euroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
to achieve a triple-double. On November 3, 2005, he finished Maccabi's Euroleague game versus Prokom Trefl Sopot
Prokom Trefl Sopot
Asseco Prokom Gdynia is a Polish professional basketball team, based in Gdynia, Poland. The team plays in the Polish Basketball League and the Euroleague...
with 11 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. The game ended with a 95–68 Maccabi win. On November 30, 2006, Vujčić recorded another triple-double, the second ever in Euroleague's history, in Maccabi's 110–87 win over Union Olimpija
KK Union Olimpija
-Depth Chart:-In: Ben Woodside Deon Thompson Aleksandar Ćapin Jaka Blažič Danny Green Ratko Varda Robert Rothbart -Out: Giorgi Shermadini - return from a loan Kenny Gregory Samo Udrih Aloysius Anagonye Vladimir...
, with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
Pro career
Vujčić was born in VrgoracVrgorac
Vrgorac is a town in Croatia in the Split-Dalmatia County.The total population of Vrgorac is 6,501 , in the following settlements:* Banja, population 214* Dragljane, population 47* Draževitići, population 204* Duge Njive, population 106...
, in inland Dalmatia
Dalmatia
Dalmatia is a historical region on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. It stretches from the island of Rab in the northwest to the Bay of Kotor in the southeast. The hinterland, the Dalmatian Zagora, ranges from fifty kilometers in width in the north to just a few kilometers in the south....
, Croatia
Socialist Republic of Croatia
Socialist Republic of Croatia was a sovereign constituent country of the second Yugoslavia. It came to existence during World War II, becoming a socialist state after the war, and was also renamed four times in its existence . It was the second largest republic in Yugoslavia by territory and...
, in the former Yugoslavia
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was the Yugoslav state that existed from the abolition of the Yugoslav monarchy until it was dissolved in 1992 amid the Yugoslav Wars. It was a socialist state and a federation made up of six socialist republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia,...
. He made his professional debut with KK Split
KK Split
KK Split , KK Split CO for sponsorship relations is a basketball club from Split, Croatia. Currently, KK Split competes in the A-1 Liga and Krešimir Ćosić Cup.-History:...
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 former NBA player Toni Kukoč
Toni Kukoc
Toni Kukoč is a retired Croatian professional basketball player. He was renowned for his versatility and passing ability; although his natural position was small forward, he played all five positions on the court with prowess and demonstrated court vision and an outside shooting touch that were...
. With Split, Vujčić appeared twice in the Croatian League
A1 Liga
The A-1 Liga or Croatian A-1 League is the highest level basketball league in Croatia. It is operated by the Croatian Basketball Federation.-Current season teams :-Playoffs Champions:...
playoff final, played 57 Euroleague
Euroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
/Suproleague
Suproleague
FIBA SuproLeague was the FIBA professional club basketball Champions' Cup for the 2000-01 season. Up until that season, there was one cup, the FIBA European Champions' Cup , though in this season of 2000-01, the leading European teams split into two competitions: the FIBA SuproLeague and the ULEB's...
games and 28 Saporta Cup
Saporta Cup
Saporta Cup was the name of the second-tier level European professional club basketball competition, where the National Cup winners from all over Europe played against each other. The competition was organized by FIBA Europe...
games.
In 2001, he was signed by Maccabi Tel Aviv as a replacement for Nate Huffman
Nate Huffman
Nathaniel Thomas Huffman is a 7'1" American former professional basketball player, who played most of his career outside of the United States with Maccabi Tel Aviv.-High school and college career:...
, 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
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
club ASVEL Villeurbanne. Vujčić helped them win the French Championship
Ligue Nationale de Basketball
The Ligue National de Basket is the top men's French professional basketball league. There are two divisions: French Pro A League and French Pro B League .-Pro A:...
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
Rebound (basketball)
A rebound in basketball is the act of successfully gaining possession of the basketball after a missed field goal or free throw. Rebounds in basketball are a routine part in the game, as all possessions change after a shot is successfully made...
.
From 2002 to 2008, with Maccabi, he won 2 Euroleague
Euroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
titles (2004 and 2005), 5 Israeli Championships
Ligat Winner
Ligat HaAl , or the Israeli Basketball Super League, is the top tier of league basketball competition in Israeli basketball, making it Israel's primary basketball competition. For sponsorship reasons, the league is also referred to as Ligat Loto , lit...
and 4 Israeli State Cups
Israeli Basketball State Cup
The Israeli Basketball State Cup is the second most important basketball competition in Israel, after Ligat HaAl. The tournament began in the 1955-56 season, and is run by the Israel Basketball Association....
with the club.
On June 18, 2008, he signed a two-year contract, worth €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
4.5 million euros net income
Net income
Net income is the residual income of a firm after adding total revenue and gains and subtracting all expenses and losses for the reporting period. Net income can be distributed among holders of common stock as a dividend or held by the firm as an addition to retained earnings...
with Olympiacos
Olympiacos BC
Olympiacos B.C. , also known simply as Olympiacos and Olympiacos Piraeus, is a Greek professional basketball club, part of Olympiacos CFP, based in Piraeus. The basketball club, founded in 1931, is one of the most successful in Greece and a traditional powerhouse in European competitions...
.
On October 25, 2010 he signed a contract with Efes Pilsen
Efes Pilsen SK
Anadolu Efes Spor Kulübü also known simply as Anadolu Efes or Efes, formerly known as Efes Pilsen is a professional basketball team based in the city of Istanbul in Turkey....
.
Honours
- Croatian Cup: 1997
- French League Pro A: 2002
- Israeli League: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
- Israeli Cup: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
- Euroleague: 2004, 2005
- Greek Cup: 2010
Croatian national team
As a member of the senior Croatian national teamCroatia national basketball team
The Croatian national basketball team represents Croatia at international tournaments. It is organized by the Croatian Basketball Federation...
, Vujčić played at the EuroBasket 1997
EuroBasket 1997
-Venues:The tournament was played at three venues in Spain. Girona and Badalona hosted the first and the second round, while the entire knockout stage was played at Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona.-First round:-Group A:-Group B:-Group C:...
, the EuroBasket 1999
EuroBasket 1999
-Group B:-Group C:-Group D:-Second round:- Group E :- Group F :-Championship bracket:-5th place bracket:- Quarterfinals :-Classification rounds:- Semifinals :- Third place game:- Final :...
, the EuroBasket 2001
EuroBasket 2001
The EuroBasket 2001 was the 32nd EuroBasket, the biennial regional basketball championship contested by European nations and held by FIBA Europe. The tournament, which was hosted by Turkey, began on 31 August 2001 and concluded with the final on 9 September 2001. Yugoslavia won the gold medal,...
, the EuroBasket 2005
Eurobasket 2005
The EuroBasket 2005 was held in Serbia and Montenegro between 16 September and 25 September 2005. Greece won the gold medal by defeating Germany, while France won the bronze medal over Spain...
, and the EuroBasket 2009
EuroBasket 2009
The EuroBasket 2009 was the 36th EuroBasket, the biennial regional basketball championship contested by European nations and held by FIBA Europe. The tournament, which was hosted by Poland, began on 7 September 2009 and concluded with the final on 20 September 2009...
.