Peja Stojaković finished his professional basketball career with 1,760 three-point field goals, a total that ranked fourth in NBA history at the time of his 2011 retirement. Born in 1977 in Požega, Serbia, he rose through the ranks in Yugoslavia and Greece before becoming a three-time NBA All-Star and an integral part of the Sacramento Kings franchise.
Early Career in Europe
Stojaković began his senior career at age 15 with Crvena zvezda in the 1992-93 season, securing a FR Yugoslav national championship. He relocated to Thessaloniki in 1993 to join PAOK, where he played until 1998. His tenure included a 1994-95 Greek Cup title and a pivotal final-second shot against Olympiacos during the 1998 playoffs. By his final season with PAOK, he recorded averages of 23.9 points per game in the Greek League and 20.9 points in the EuroLeague.
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Drafted 14th overall by the Sacramento Kings in 1996, Stojaković transitioned to the NBA in 1998. He achieved a statistical breakthrough in the 2000-01 season, averaging 20.4 points. He was named an All-Star three times between 2002 and 2004. During the 2003-04 season, he reached a career-high 24.2 points per game, finishing second in league scoring and earning a spot on the All-NBA Second Team. The franchise retired his number 16 jersey on December 16, 2014.
International Competition and Later Tenure
Stojaković represented the senior FR Yugoslavian national team, contributing to gold medal performances at the 2001 FIBA EuroBasket and the 2002 FIBA World Championship. Following his time in Sacramento, he played for the Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Hornets, and Toronto Raptors. He concluded his career with the Dallas Mavericks, winning an NBA championship in 2011 before announcing his retirement on December 19, 2011. He was later inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame.
Fast facts
- Born: 1977, Požega
- NBA Career: 1998-2011
- Primary Position: Small forward
- NBA Championship: 2011, Dallas Mavericks
- Number Retired: 16, Sacramento Kings
- Major Awards: FIBA Hall of Fame
- Three-Point Contest Wins: Two
Questions readers ask
How many NBA teams did Stojaković play for?
He played for five NBA teams: the Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Hornets, Toronto Raptors, and Dallas Mavericks.
What major international titles did he win?
He helped lead the FR Yugoslavian national team to gold medals at the 2001 FIBA EuroBasket and the 2002 FIBA World Championship.
