Nikola Vučević
Encyclopedia
Nikola Vucevic is a Montenegrin professional basketball player who plays for the KK Budućnost Podgorica
during NBA lockout. He was selected 16th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft
. He played college basketball for the USC Trojans.
. Under coach Babacar Sy, he was the leading scorer, rebounder, and was team captain. He arrived at the school in October from his native Montenegro. Ranked by HoopsScoop Online as the No. 26 fifth-year senior in the country.
.
and had two points, two blocks, and two rebounds in six minutes. He made his first start of the season on January 24, 2009, at Washington St. Cougars
and was instrumental in the Trojans' 46-44 win with a season-high eight points and five rebounds. He also scored eight points on February 9, 2009, at UCLA and in his second start of the season on Feb. 19 against Washington State. Vucevic had a season-best seven rebounds in that game and matched that total on March 5, 2009, vs. the Oregon Ducks
. Nikola scored six points and had four rebounds in the NCAA second-round loss to Michigan State on March 22. In all, he made 57.8 percent of his shots from the field (26-for-45).
on November 21, 2009, for his first career double-double. Matched his career high with 19 points on 9 of 12 shooting at UCLA
on January 16, 2010, scoring 17 points in the second half.
. The website NBAdraft.net projected him as the 23rd pick in the draft.
During his tenure with the Trojans, Vucevic averaged 11.1 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.
by the Philadelphia 76ers
on June 23, 2011.
where his father was playing professional basketball. Vucevic's father, Borislav, played professionally for 24 years and was a member of the Yugoslavian national basketball team. His father also coached professionally in Belgium. Nikola's mother also played professional basketball in Bosnia. His family moved to Montenegro when Nikola was a teenager. In 2007, he was voted the best young player in Montenegro and is a current member of the U18 national team. Vucevic was ranked as one of the top four players in Montenegro in 2005 and 2006. He says his dream job outside of basketball would be to become an actor. Vucevic wore the No. 5 when he was at USC because his sister was born on the 5th of September.
KK Buducnost Podgorica
KK Budućnost Podgorica is a professional basketball club from Podgorica, Montenegro. It is a part of Budućnost Podgorica sport society. The team currently competes in First Montenegrin Opportunity League and regional Adriatic League...
during NBA lockout. He was selected 16th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft
2011 NBA Draft
The 2011 NBA Draft was held on June 23, 2011 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The draft started at 7:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time , and was broadcast in the United States on ESPN. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball...
. He played college basketball for the USC Trojans.
High School
Vucevic averaged 18 points and 12.0 rebounds as a senior at Stoneridge Prep in Simi Valley, CaliforniaSimi Valley, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Simi Valley had a population of 124,237. The population density was 2,940.8 people per square mile...
. Under coach Babacar Sy, he was the leading scorer, rebounder, and was team captain. He arrived at the school in October from his native Montenegro. Ranked by HoopsScoop Online as the No. 26 fifth-year senior in the country.
College
Vucevic played three seasons with the USC Trojans of the University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
.
Freshman
Vucevic missed the first eight games of the season while waiting to have his amateur status confirmed by the NCAA Clearinghouse. He averaged 2.6 points and 2.7 rebounds in 23 games in three starts. Nikola played in his first game with USC on December 15, 2008, against the Pepperdine WavesPepperdine Waves
Pepperdine Waves is the name given to the sports teams of the Pepperdine University.-See also:* Pepperdine Waves alumni* 2011-12 Pepperdine Waves men's basketball team...
and had two points, two blocks, and two rebounds in six minutes. He made his first start of the season on January 24, 2009, at Washington St. Cougars
Washington State Cougars men's basketball
The Washington State Cougars Men's Basketball team represents Washington State University and competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of NCAA Division I...
and was instrumental in the Trojans' 46-44 win with a season-high eight points and five rebounds. He also scored eight points on February 9, 2009, at UCLA and in his second start of the season on Feb. 19 against Washington State. Vucevic had a season-best seven rebounds in that game and matched that total on March 5, 2009, vs. the Oregon Ducks
Oregon Ducks men's basketball
Oregon Ducks men’s college basketball is an intercollegiate basketball program that competes in the NCAA Division I and is a member of the Pac-12 Conference, representing the University of Oregon. The Ducks play their home games at Matthew Knight Arena. Oregon, then coached by Howard Hobson, won...
. Nikola scored six points and had four rebounds in the NCAA second-round loss to Michigan State on March 22. In all, he made 57.8 percent of his shots from the field (26-for-45).
Sophomore
Vucevic began to excel in his sophomore season where he was the second top scorer and the best rebounder on the Trojans, with 10.7 points 9.4 rebounds per game. He finished second on the team in scoring (10.7 ppg) and first in rebounding (9.4 rpg). He led USC in scoring five times and in rebounding 20 times, including the last nine games. Nikola lead the Pac-10 with 283 rebounds and offensive rebounds per game (6.3) and his 39 blocks were the fourth most in the conference. Vucevic's .504 shooting percentage (126-for-250) led USC and was seventh best in the Pac-10. Vucevic was named the 2009-10 Pac-10 Most Improved Player. He had the second most blocks ever in a season by a Trojan sophomore and the third most rebounds. Nikola started all 30 games for USC and posted 10 double-doubles. He scored 18 points and had eight rebounds in the first game of the season against UC Riverside on November 17, 2009, both totals better than any of his freshman games. Vucevic had 18 points and 14 rebounds at Texas on December 3, 2009. He scored a career-high 19 points and had 11 rebounds vs. the Loyola LionsLoyola Marymount Lions
The Loyola Marymount Lions are the athletic teams that represent Loyola Marymount University, a Jesuit institution in Los Angeles, California. The school competes in NCAA Division I, with its primary affiliation in the West Coast Conference, an organization consisting solely of...
on November 21, 2009, for his first career double-double. Matched his career high with 19 points on 9 of 12 shooting at UCLA
UCLA Bruins men's basketball
The UCLA Bruins men's basketball program, established in 1920, owns a record 11 Division I NCAA championships. UCLA teams coached by John Wooden won 10 national titles in 12 seasons from 1964 to 1975, including 7 straight from 1967 to 1973. UCLA went undefeated a record 4 times, in 1964, 1967,...
on January 16, 2010, scoring 17 points in the second half.
Junior
As a junior, he was picked to the Fourth Team All-America by Fox Sports. Vucevic was included in the top five of the conference. In March 2011, Vucevic announced that he would give up his senior year to be submitted to the NBA DraftNBA Draft
The NBA Draft is an annual event in which the thirty teams from the National Basketball Association can draft players who are eligible and wish to join the league. These players are usually amateur U.S. college basketball players, but international players are also eligible to be drafted...
. The website NBAdraft.net projected him as the 23rd pick in the draft.
During his tenure with the Trojans, Vucevic averaged 11.1 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.
Professional
Vucevic was drafted with the 16th pick of the 2011 NBA Draft2011 NBA Draft
The 2011 NBA Draft was held on June 23, 2011 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The draft started at 7:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time , and was broadcast in the United States on ESPN. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball...
by the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
on June 23, 2011.
Personal life
Vucevic was raised in BelgiumBelgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
where his father was playing professional basketball. Vucevic's father, Borislav, played professionally for 24 years and was a member of the Yugoslavian national basketball team. His father also coached professionally in Belgium. Nikola's mother also played professional basketball in Bosnia. His family moved to Montenegro when Nikola was a teenager. In 2007, he was voted the best young player in Montenegro and is a current member of the U18 national team. Vucevic was ranked as one of the top four players in Montenegro in 2005 and 2006. He says his dream job outside of basketball would be to become an actor. Vucevic wore the No. 5 when he was at USC because his sister was born on the 5th of September.