Igor Rakocevic
Encyclopedia
Igor Rakočević ' onMouseout='HidePop("72410")' href="/topics/Belgrade">Belgrade
, SR Serbia
, Yugoslavia
) is a Serbia
n professional basketball player who plays for Montepaschi Siena. He can play at both the point guard
and shooting guard
positions. He is 1.94 m (6 ft 4 ½ in) tall. He is the son of Serbian basketballer Goran Rakočević who played as point guard for KK Crvena zvezda
.
for five seasons before going to the NBA. With Red Star Belgrade
, he won the YUBA League championship in the 1997-98 season, and finished second in the Korać Cup
in the same season.
in the 2nd round (51st overall) of the 2000 NBA Draft
. He did not play until the 2002-03 NBA season
, in which he amounted 244 minutes in 42 games and averaged 1.9 points, 0.8 assists, and 0.4 rebounds per game. He was released after the season and signed by the San Antonio Spurs
, who also released him shortly after.
, and was named the most valuable player of the Adriatic League
Final Four. He was the captain
and best player of Red Star Belgrade
in that season.
He continued his career in Spain where he played for Pamesa Valencia, Real Madrid
and Tau Cerámica
. In the Euroleague 2006-07
season he won the Alphonso Ford Trophy
, which is given to the best scorer of the Euroleague
. He was also selected to the All-Euroleague 2nd Team of that year's competition.
With TAU Cerámica, Rakočević won the Spanish Supercuo
in 2006, 2007 and 2008, the Spanish King's Cup
in 2008
and the Spanish ACB League championship in 2008. In 2009, he signed a contract with the Turkish League
club Efes Pilsen
.
Rakočević joined Montepaschi Siena in October 2011.
. After that he played in the 2001 FIBA European Championship
in Turkey
(where he won a gold medal) and at the 2005 FIBA European Championship
in Serbia and Montenegro
. He was a member of the team that became the FIBA World Champions
in Indianapolis
at the 2002 FIBA World Championship
and he was the captain
of the Serbia and Montenegro national team
in Japan
at the 2006 FIBA World Championship
. He also played at the 2004 Olympic Basketball Tournament
at Athens
.
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
, SR Serbia
Socialist Republic of Serbia
Socialist Republic of Serbia was a socialist state that was a constituent country of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It is a predecessor of modern day Serbia, which served as the biggest republic in the Yugoslav federation and held the largest population of all the Yugoslav...
, 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,...
) is a Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
n professional basketball player who plays for Montepaschi Siena. He can play at both the point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
and shooting guard
Shooting guard
The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team...
positions. He is 1.94 m (6 ft 4 ½ in) tall. He is the son of Serbian basketballer Goran Rakočević who played as point guard for KK Crvena zvezda
KK Crvena zvezda
Košarkaški klub Crvena zvezda is a professional basketball club based in Belgrade, Serbia. Its name Crvena zvezda means Red Star and it's part of the Red Star Belgrade sports society ....
.
KK Crvena zvezda (Red Star Belgrade)
Rakočević played with Red Star BelgradeKK Crvena zvezda
Košarkaški klub Crvena zvezda is a professional basketball club based in Belgrade, Serbia. Its name Crvena zvezda means Red Star and it's part of the Red Star Belgrade sports society ....
for five seasons before going to the NBA. With Red Star Belgrade
KK Crvena zvezda
Košarkaški klub Crvena zvezda is a professional basketball club based in Belgrade, Serbia. Its name Crvena zvezda means Red Star and it's part of the Red Star Belgrade sports society ....
, he won the YUBA League championship in the 1997-98 season, and finished second in the Korać Cup
Korac Cup
The Korać Cup was an annual basketball club competition held by FIBA between the 1971-72 and 2001-02 seasons. It was the third-tier level club competition in European basketball, after the European Champions' Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup...
in the same season.
NBA
Rakočević was selected by the Minnesota TimberwolvesMinnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Founded in 1989, the team is currently owned by Glen Taylor...
in the 2nd round (51st overall) of the 2000 NBA Draft
2000 NBA Draft
The 2000 NBA Draft was held on June 28, 2000 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Until 2011, it was the last draft held at the home arena of an NBA team; the following and subsequent drafts have all taken place at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York. This draft is...
. He did not play until the 2002-03 NBA season
2002-03 NBA season
The 2002–03 NBA season was the 57th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the San Antonio Spurs beating the New Jersey Nets 4-2 in the 2003 NBA Finals.-Notable occurrences:...
, in which he amounted 244 minutes in 42 games and averaged 1.9 points, 0.8 assists, and 0.4 rebounds per game. He was released after the season and signed by the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
, who also released him shortly after.
Europe
Rakočević then returned to Europe as a member of Red Star BelgradeKK Crvena zvezda
Košarkaški klub Crvena zvezda is a professional basketball club based in Belgrade, Serbia. Its name Crvena zvezda means Red Star and it's part of the Red Star Belgrade sports society ....
, and was named the most valuable player of the Adriatic League
NLB League
Liga ABA, also known as Adriatic League, until September 2011 known as the NLB Liga ABA for sponsorship reasons, is a top-level regional basketball league, featuring teams from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Israel, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia.The league exists alongside scaled-down national...
Final Four. He was the captain
Captain (sports)
In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field...
and best player of Red Star Belgrade
KK Crvena zvezda
Košarkaški klub Crvena zvezda is a professional basketball club based in Belgrade, Serbia. Its name Crvena zvezda means Red Star and it's part of the Red Star Belgrade sports society ....
in that season.
He continued his career in Spain where he played for Pamesa Valencia, Real Madrid
Real Madrid Baloncesto
Real Madrid Baloncesto is a Spanish professional basketball team founded in 1932 as a division of the Real Madrid club. They play in the Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto ....
and Tau Cerámica
Saski Baskonia
Saski Baskonia, S.A.D., known as Caja Laboral for sponsorship reasons, is a Spanish professional basketball club from the Basque city of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain...
. In the Euroleague 2006-07
Euroleague 2006-07
The Euroleague is an international basketball club competition for elite clubs throughout Europe. The 2006-2007 season featured 24 competing teams from 13 different countries. The draw for the groups was held on September 14, 2006 in Athens. The competition began on October 24, 2006 at the Olympic...
season he won the Alphonso Ford Trophy
Alphonso Ford Trophy
The Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy is the annual award given to the Turkish Airlines Euroleague's leading scorer throughout the Euroleague season, up until the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four stage of the season...
, which is given to the best scorer of 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...
. He was also selected to the All-Euroleague 2nd Team of that year's competition.
With TAU Cerámica, Rakočević won the Spanish Supercuo
Supercopa de España de Baloncesto
The Supercopa de España de Baloncesto is an annual preseason Spanish basketball competition. The teams that take part in this competition are:* The ACB league winner of the previous season....
in 2006, 2007 and 2008, the Spanish King's Cup
Copa del Rey de Baloncesto
The Copa del Rey de Baloncesto is an annual cup competition for Spanish basketball teams organized by Spain's top professional league, Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto. It was originally known as the Copa de España de Baloncesto and was first played in 1933. It was the first nationwide...
in 2008
Copa del Rey de Baloncesto 2008-09
The Copa del Rey 2008-09 was the 73rd edition of the Spanish basketball Cup. It was managed by the ACB and was disputed in Madrid, Community of Madrid in the Palacio de Deportes between days 19 and 22 of February...
and the Spanish ACB League championship in 2008. In 2009, he signed a contract with the Turkish League
Turkish Basketball League
The Turkish Basketball League is the top men’s professional basketball league in Turkey, which is also called Turkish Premier Basketball League . There is also a Turkish Second Basketball League consisting of 2 divisions .-History:The first basketball game played in Turkey was at the Robert...
club 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....
.
Rakočević joined Montepaschi Siena in October 2011.
FIBA international career
Rakočević made his debut with the senior Yugoslavian national team at the 2000 Olympic Basketball TournamentBasketball at the 2000 Summer Olympics
-Group B:-Championship bracket:-Classification matches:-Preliminary round:The four best teams from each group advanced to the quarterfinal round.-Group A:-Group B:-Championship bracket:...
. After that he played in the 2001 FIBA European Championship
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,...
in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
(where he won a gold medal) and at the 2005 FIBA European Championship
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...
in Serbia and Montenegro
Serbia and Montenegro
Serbia and Montenegro was a country in southeastern Europe, formed from two former republics of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia : Serbia and Montenegro. Following the breakup of Yugoslavia, it was established in 1992 as a federation called the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia...
. He was a member of the team that became the FIBA World Champions
FIBA World Championship
The FIBA World Championship is an international basketball competition contested by the men's national teams of the members of the International Basketball Federation , the sport's global governing body...
in Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
at the 2002 FIBA World Championship
2002 FIBA World Championship
The 2002 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball tournament held by the International Basketball Federation in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA from August 29 to September 8, 2002.-Venues:-Squads:...
and he was the captain
Captain (sports)
In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field...
of the Serbia and Montenegro national team
Serbia national basketball team
The Serbian national basketball team represents Serbia in international basketball matches....
in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
at the 2006 FIBA World Championship
2006 FIBA World Championship
The 2006 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Japan from August 19 to September 3, 2006. It was co-organised by the International Basketball Federation , Japan Basketball Association and the 2006 Organizing Committee...
. He also played at the 2004 Olympic Basketball Tournament
Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics
Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics took place at the Helliniko Olympic Indoor Arena in Athens, Greece for the preliminary rounds, with the latter stages being held in the Olympic Indoor Hall at the Athens Olympic Sports Complex....
at Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
.
Yugoslavian national team
- Won the bronze medal at the FIBA Europe Under-18 ChampionshipFIBA Europe Under-18 ChampionshipFIBA Europe Under-18 Championship was inaugurated in 1964 and for the following 40 years it had been held biannually. From 2004 onwards, it is held every year.-Summaries:-Performances by nation:...
(1996) - Won the bronze medal at the FIBA Under-21 World ChampionshipFIBA Under-21 World ChampionshipThe FIBA Under-21 World Championship was a men's under-21-only basketball competition organized by FIBA. It was formerly the FIBA 22 & Under World Championship before FIBA lowered the age limit to 21 years in December 1998, and had its name changed to World Championship for Young Men. The...
(1997) - Won the gold medal at the FIBA Europe Under-20 ChampionshipFIBA Europe Under-20 ChampionshipFIBA Europe Under-20 Championship, previously known as European Championship for Men 'Under22 and Under, is a basketball competition inaugurated in 1992. Until 2004 it was held biannually, but from 2004 onwards it is held every year. The current champions are Spain.Since 2005, a second level...
(1998) - FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship MVP (1998)
- Won gold medal at the 2001 FIBA European ChampionshipEuroBasket 2001The 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,...
- Won the gold medal at the 2002 FIBA World Championship2002 FIBA World ChampionshipThe 2002 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball tournament held by the International Basketball Federation in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA from August 29 to September 8, 2002.-Venues:-Squads:...
Pro career
- Won 2 Yugoslavian ChampionshipsYUBA LigaThe Yugoslav Basketball League was the name of two successive national basketball leagues:* the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia league from 1945 to 1992* the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia/Serbia and Montenegro from 1992 to 2006...
(1998, 2001) - Yugoslavian League Most Improved Player (1998)
- Won the Yugoslavian Cup (2001)
- Won the Serbian Cup (2004)
- Adriatic LeagueNLB LeagueLiga ABA, also known as Adriatic League, until September 2011 known as the NLB Liga ABA for sponsorship reasons, is a top-level regional basketball league, featuring teams from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Israel, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia.The league exists alongside scaled-down national...
Final Four MVP (2004) - Led the Adriatic League in scoring (2004)
- Won 3 Spanish SupercupsSupercopa de España de BaloncestoThe Supercopa de España de Baloncesto is an annual preseason Spanish basketball competition. The teams that take part in this competition are:* The ACB league winner of the previous season....
(2006, 2007, 2008) - Won the Spanish ACB League 3 Point Shootout Contest 2007
- 3x Alphonso Ford TrophyAlphonso Ford TrophyThe Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy is the annual award given to the Turkish Airlines Euroleague's leading scorer throughout the Euroleague season, up until the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four stage of the season...
2007Euroleague 2006-07The Euroleague is an international basketball club competition for elite clubs throughout Europe. The 2006-2007 season featured 24 competing teams from 13 different countries. The draw for the groups was held on September 14, 2006 in Athens. The competition began on October 24, 2006 at the Olympic...
, 2009Euroleague 2008-09The Euroleague 2008-09 season was the ninth international basketball club competition for elite clubs throughout Europe under the ULEB umbrella. The season, which featured 24 teams from 13 different countries, culminated in the 2008-09 Euroleague Final Four at the new O2 World arena in Berlin,...
, 2011 - All-Euroleague Second Team (2007)
- Won the Spanish Championship (2008)
- Won the Spanish King's CupCopa del Rey de BaloncestoThe Copa del Rey de Baloncesto is an annual cup competition for Spanish basketball teams organized by Spain's top professional league, Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto. It was originally known as the Copa de España de Baloncesto and was first played in 1933. It was the first nationwide...
(2009) - All-Euroleague First Team (2009)