Top 5 Serbian Born Players

In honor of Nikola Jokic’s outstanding season, we are ranking the top 5 Serbians to ever play in the NBA.

1. Nikola Jokić: Nikola Jokić is widely regarded as one of the best Serbian NBA players and is currently considered one of the top players in the league. As the centerpiece of the Denver Nuggets, Jokić has earned multiple All-Star selections and won the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in 2021. He is known for his exceptional passing skills, basketball IQ, and versatility as a big man.

2. Dražen Petrović: Although Petrović was Croatian, he is often associated with Serbian basketball due to his impact on the sport in the former Yugoslavia. Petrović was a highly skilled shooting guard who played for the Portland Trail Blazers and the New Jersey Nets. Tragically, his career was cut short by a car accident, but he left a lasting legacy as one of the greatest European players of all time.

3. Vlade Divac: Vlade Divac had a successful NBA career, playing for teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, and Sacramento Kings. Known for his passing ability and basketball IQ as a center, Divac played a significant role in popularizing Serbian basketball and paving the way for future players from the region.

4. Peja Stojaković: Peja Stojaković was a skilled forward known for his shooting prowess and was a key contributor to the success of the Sacramento Kings in the early 2000s. Stojaković played for several teams during his NBA career and won the NBA Three-Point Contest multiple times. He was also a member of the Dallas Mavericks when they won the NBA championship in 2011.

5. Boban Marjanović: Boban Marjanović is a towering center known for his size and dominant presence in the paint. While he has primarily been a role player throughout his NBA career, Marjanović has gained a significant following due to his size, gentle personality, and occasional bursts of impressive performances. He has played for multiple NBA teams, including the San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons, and Dallas Mavericks.