1. Early Life and Background
Predrag Stojaković's early life was marked by his family's experiences during the tumultuous Yugoslav Wars and his subsequent relocation to Greece, where his professional basketball journey began.
1.1. Birth and Childhood
Predrag Stojaković was born on 9 June 1977, in Požega, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia, to parents Miodrag and Branka Stojaković. His family, who are ethnic Serbs, originated from the Papuk mountain region. Due to the outbreak of the Yugoslav Wars, his family later fled their home and sought refuge in Belgrade. Stojaković's father remained in his homeland, fighting in the Army of the Republic of Serbian Krajina against the Croatian Army until the fall of western Slavonia in 1995, after which he joined his son in Thessaloniki, Greece. Many of Stojaković's relatives continue to reside in Serbia. In 1993, at the age of 16, Stojaković moved to Thessaloniki, Greece, seeking a better environment for his basketball development. He acquired full Greek citizenship at the age of 17 while playing in Greece, receiving the Greek transliterated name Prentragk "Petza" Kinis Stogiakovits (Πρέντραγκ "Πέτζα" Κίνης ΣτογιάκοβιτςPrentragk "Petza" Kinis StogiakovitsGreek, Modern). Stojaković is also fluent in Greek.
1.2. Early European Club Career
Stojaković began his professional basketball career in his homeland before moving to Greece. In 1992, at the age of 15, he joined the Serbian club Crvena zvezda (Red Star Belgrade). He played two seasons with their senior men's team, from 1992-93 to 1993-94. During the 1992-93 season, he helped Crvena zvezda win the FR Yugoslav national championship. In his brief tenure with the club, he played a total of 39 games, scoring 113 points for an average of 2.9 points per game.
In 1993, at 16, Stojaković moved to Greece and joined PAOK Thessaloniki in the Greek Basket League in 1994. With PAOK, he achieved success, winning the Greek Cup in the 1994-95 season. He also played in the final of the European-wide secondary level FIBA Saporta Cup (then known as the FIBA European Cup) during its 1995-96 season. A memorable moment in his PAOK career occurred in 1998, when he hit a crucial last-second three-pointer against Olympiacos in Piraeus during a Greek League playoff semifinals series. This shot secured a 58-55 victory for PAOK, ending Olympiacos' five-year reign as Greek League champions and allowing PAOK to advance to the finals against Panathinaikos. Although PAOK ultimately lost the five-game series 3-2, Stojaković's performance was notable. In his final season with PAOK (1997-98), he averaged 23.9 points per game, 4.9 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game, and 1.2 steals per game in the Greek League. In the European-wide top-level EuroLeague during the same season, he averaged 20.9 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, and 1.5 assists per game. Despite being drafted by the Sacramento Kings in 1996, Stojaković remained with PAOK until the 1998-99 NBA lockout season.
2. NBA Career
Predrag Stojaković's NBA career spanned more than a decade, beginning with the Sacramento Kings and culminating in an NBA championship with the Dallas Mavericks.
2.1. Sacramento Kings (1998-2006)
Stojaković was selected by the Sacramento Kings as the 14th overall pick in the first round of the 1996 NBA draft while he was still playing in Greece. He eventually joined the Kings for the 1998-99 NBA lockout season. After spending his first two seasons primarily on the bench, Stojaković experienced a breakthrough in the 2000-01 season. In his first year as a full-time starter, he averaged 20.4 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game, while shooting an impressive .400 from three-point range. His significant improvement led to him finishing second in the voting for the Most Improved Player Award in 2001.
In the 2001-02 season, Stojaković received his first selection to the NBA All-Star Game. His scoring average further increased to 21.2 points per game, and he achieved career highs in both overall shooting percentage (.484) and three-point percentage (.416). He continued his All-Star streak in the 2002-03 season, where his scoring slightly decreased to 19.2 points per game. During both the 2002 and 2003 All-Star Weekend competitions, he emerged as the champion of the NBA Three-Point Contest, showcasing his elite shooting ability.
The 2003-04 season was a career-defining year for Stojaković. He was once again named an All-Star and finished second in the league in scoring, averaging a career-high 24.2 points per game. His outstanding performance earned him a fourth-place finish in the league's MVP voting and a selection to the All-NBA Second Team. He also led the NBA in free-throw percentage (.933) and in three-pointers made for the season (240). In the 2004-05 season, he averaged 20.1 points per game, despite missing 16 games due to injury and being hampered in several others. On 16 December 2014, the Sacramento Kings honored Stojaković's significant contributions to the franchise by retiring his number 16 jersey in a ceremony held at Sleep Train Arena (formerly Power Balance Pavilion/Arco Arena).
2.2. Indiana Pacers (2006)
On 25 January 2006, after an eight-year tenure with the Kings, Stojaković was traded to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for forward Ron Artest. His arrival helped boost the Pacers' team average points, and he seemed to regain some of his earlier form, contributing to the team's playoff qualification. However, his time with the Pacers was brief and marred by injury; he missed four games of their first-round playoff series against the New Jersey Nets, all of which were losses for Indiana, leading to an early exit.
2.3. New Orleans Hornets (2006-2010)
During the 2006 offseason, Stojaković signed a five-year contract with the then-New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets worth 64.00 M USD. On 14 November 2006, he recorded a career-high 42 points against the Charlotte Bobcats. In that game, he made history by becoming the first player in NBA history to open a game by scoring 20 consecutive points for his team. Unfortunately, a strong start to the season was cut short by injuries, causing him to miss all but 13 games of the 2006-07 season.
Stojaković made a significant return the following season, 2007-08, starting in 77 games. He was a crucial component in the Hornets' success, helping the team achieve a franchise-record 56 wins and their first-ever division title. In the first two games of their second-round playoff matchup against the defending champion San Antonio Spurs, both of which were Hornets victories, Stojaković averaged 23.5 points per game while shooting an impressive 63.7% from the three-point line. Despite his efforts, the Hornets ultimately lost the series to the Spurs in seven games. The core group of Stojaković, Chris Paul, Tyson Chandler, and David West kept the Hornets in contention the following year. However, subsequent injuries and the trade of Chandler necessitated a team rebuild, making the veteran Stojaković a tradeable asset.
2.4. Toronto Raptors (2010-2011)
On 20 November 2010, Stojaković was traded to the Toronto Raptors alongside Jerryd Bayless in exchange for Jarrett Jack, Marcus Banks, and David Andersen. His tenure with the Raptors was exceptionally short due to persistent injury problems. After appearing in only two games, Stojaković was released by the Raptors on 20 January 2011, having missed 26 games due to a left knee injury.
2.5. Dallas Mavericks (2011)
On 24 January 2011, Stojaković signed a contract with the Dallas Mavericks. His acquisition proved to be a valuable addition, as the Mavericks went on to win the NBA championship that year. During the Mavericks' playoff run, Stojaković averaged 7.1 points per game, providing crucial shooting and veteran presence off the bench. He notably scored more than 20 points in two different playoff games for the Mavericks, demonstrating his ability to still contribute significantly in key moments.
3. National Team Career
Predrag Stojaković had a distinguished career playing for the FR Yugoslavia national basketball team (later Serbia and Montenegro), where he achieved significant international success, including multiple gold medals.
His national team journey began with a bronze medal at the 1999 FIBA EuroBasket, held in France. He also represented FR Yugoslavia at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.
Stojaković played a pivotal role in the national team's golden era, securing gold medals at two major international tournaments. He won his first gold at the 2001 FIBA EuroBasket, held in Turkey, where his exceptional performance earned him the tournament's MVP award. The following year, he helped lead FR Yugoslavia to another gold medal at the 2002 FIBA World Championship, which took place in Indianapolis, Indiana. At the 2002 World Championship, Stojaković was named a member of the FIBA World Championship All-Tournament Team, alongside other future and current NBA stars such as Manu Ginóbili, Dirk Nowitzki, and Yao Ming, as well as New Zealand's Pero Cameron.
He concluded his national team career at EuroBasket 2003, where the newly formed Serbia and Montenegro team finished in sixth place. Stojaković later declined to participate in the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan, citing that the team was undergoing a rebuilding phase with a focus on younger players.
4. Playing Style
Predrag Stojaković was renowned for his exceptional shooting ability, particularly from beyond the three-point line. Although primarily a small forward, his offensive game revolved around his precise shooting touch. Throughout his extensive career, he maintained a three-point shooting percentage of around .401, making him one of the most consistent long-range shooters in the NBA. In the 2003-04 season, he led the league in three-pointers made with 240. He also demonstrated elite accuracy from the free throw line, consistently converting nearly 90% of his attempts.
Beyond his shooting, Stojaković utilized his imposing height of 6.8 ft (2.08 m) to contribute in other facets of the game, including rebounding and defense. While known primarily for his scoring, his size allowed him to be an effective presence in the frontcourt and occasionally contribute to defensive plays. His ability to space the floor with his three-point shooting made him a valuable offensive weapon and influenced how teams defended him, creating opportunities for his teammates.
5. Retirement and Post-Playing Career
Predrag Stojaković officially announced his retirement from professional basketball on 19 December 2011. The primary reasons for his decision were ongoing back and neck problems, which had increasingly hindered his performance and ability to play at an elite level during the latter part of his career.
Following his retirement from playing, Stojaković transitioned into a front office role with his former team, the Sacramento Kings. In August 2015, he was appointed as the Director of Player Personnel and Development for the Kings. His responsibilities included overseeing player talent and fostering their growth within the organization. In May 2018, Stojaković was promoted to the position of Assistant General Manager. In this capacity, he also served as the General Manager for the Stockton Kings, the Kings' NBA G League (formerly NBA Development League) affiliate. On 15 August 2020, the Sacramento Kings announced that Stojaković had stepped down from his role as Assistant General Manager.
6. Awards and Achievements
Predrag Stojaković accumulated numerous individual and team honors throughout his distinguished career in both professional club basketball and international competition.
- NBA Champion: 2011 (with Dallas Mavericks)
- All-NBA Second Team: 2004
- 3× NBA All-Star: 2002, 2003, 2004
- 2× NBA Three-Point Contest Champion: 2002, 2003
- FIBA EuroBasket MVP: 2001
- FIBA EuroBasket All-Tournament Team: 2001
- FIBA World Championship All-Tournament Team: 2002
- Euroscar Basketball Player of the Year: 2001 (awarded by Gazzetta dello Sport)
- 2× Mister Europa Player of the Year: 2001, 2002 (awarded by Superbasket)
- FIBA EuroLeague Top Scorer: 1998
- Greek Cup Winner: 1995 (with PAOK Thessaloniki)
- Greek League MVP: 1998
- 2× Greek League All-Star: 1996 II, 1997
- 2× Greek All-Star Game MVP: 1996 II, 1997
- FR Yugoslav League Best Young Player: 1993
- Greek Basket League Hall of Fame: 2022
- HoopsHype: 75 Greatest International Players Ever: 2021
- No. 16 retired by Sacramento Kings: 2014
In terms of statistical achievements:
- At the time of his retirement, he ranked 4th all-time in three-point field goals made with 1,760. He currently ranks 32nd in this category.
- He ranked 4th in NBA history in career free-throw percentage at .895 at the time of his retirement, and is currently 5th in this category.
- He is 9th in NBA playoff history in free-throw percentage at .900.
- He is 28th in NBA history in 3-pointers attempted with 4,392.
- Stojaković was the first player in NBA history to begin a game by scoring 20 consecutive points for his team.
- He and Steve Nash were the only players to rank in the top 25 in both free-throw and three-point percentage during the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons.
7. NBA Career Statistics
|+ Predrag Stojaković's NBA Regular Season Statistics
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998-99 | Sacramento Kings | 48 | 1 | 21.4 | .378 | .320 | .851 | 3.0 | 1.5 | .9 | .1 | 8.4 |
| 1999-2000 | Sacramento Kings | 74 | 11 | 23.6 | .448 | .375 | .882 | 3.7 | 1.4 | .7 | .1 | 11.9 |
| 2000-01 | Sacramento Kings | 75 | 75 | 38.7 | .470 | .400 | .856 | 5.8 | 2.2 | 1.2 | .2 | 20.4 |
| 2001-02 | Sacramento Kings | 71 | 71 | 37.3 | .484 | .416 | .876 | 5.3 | 2.5 | 1.1 | .2 | 21.2 |
| 2002-03 | Sacramento Kings | 72 | 72 | 34.0 | .481 | .382 | .875 | 5.5 | 2.0 | 1.0 | .1 | 19.2 |
| 2003-04 | Sacramento Kings | 81 | 81 | 40.3 | .480 | .433 | .927 | 6.3 | 2.1 | 1.3 | .2 | 24.2 |
| 2004-05 | Sacramento Kings | 66 | 66 | 38.4 | .444 | .402 | .920 | 4.3 | 2.1 | 1.2 | .2 | 20.1 |
| 2005-06 | Sacramento Kings | 31 | 31 | 37.0 | .403 | .397 | .933 | 5.3 | 2.2 | .6 | .1 | 16.5 |
| Indiana Pacers | 40 | 40 | 36.4 | .461 | .404 | .903 | 6.3 | 1.7 | .7 | .2 | 19.5 | |
| 2006-07 | New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets | 13 | 13 | 32.7 | .423 | .405 | .816 | 4.2 | .8 | .6 | .3 | 17.8 |
| 2007-08 | New Orleans Hornets | 77 | 77 | 35.2 | .440 | .441 | .929 | 4.3 | 1.2 | .7 | .1 | 16.4 |
| 2008-09 | New Orleans Hornets | 61 | 59 | 34.2 | .399 | .378 | .894 | 4.3 | 1.2 | .9 | .0 | 13.3 |
| 2009-10 | New Orleans Hornets | 62 | 55 | 31.4 | .404 | .375 | .897 | 3.7 | 1.5 | .8 | .1 | 12.6 |
| 2010-11 | New Orleans Hornets | 6 | 0 | 14.8 | .424 | .440 | .857 | 1.0 | 1.0 | .3 | .0 | 7.5 |
| Toronto Raptors | 2 | 0 | 11.0 | .700 | .667 | 1.000 | 1.5 | .5 | .0 | .0 | 10.0 | |
| Dallas Mavericks† | 25 | 13 | 20.2 | .429 | .400 | .938 | 2.6 | .9 | .4 | .1 | 8.6 | |
| Career | 804 | 665 | 33.5 | .450 | .401 | .895 | 4.7 | 1.8 | .9 | .1 | 17.0 | |
| All-Star | 3 | 0 | 14.7 | .364 | .385 | .000 | 2.0 | 1.0 | .3 | .0 | 7.0 | |
7.1. Playoffs
|+ Predrag Stojaković's NBA Playoff Statistics
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Sacramento Kings | 5 | 0 | 21.6 | .346 | .214 | 1.000 | 3.8 | .4 | .6 | .0 | 4.8 |
| 2000 | Sacramento Kings | 5 | 0 | 25.8 | .400 | .462 | .667 | 3.4 | .6 | .8 | .0 | 8.8 |
| 2001 | Sacramento Kings | 8 | 8 | 38.4 | .406 | .346 | .968 | 6.4 | .4 | .6 | .4 | 21.6 |
| 2002 | Sacramento Kings | 10 | 7 | 33.8 | .376 | .271 | .897 | 6.3 | 1.0 | .5 | .0 | 14.8 |
| 2003 | Sacramento Kings | 12 | 12 | 40.5 | .480 | .457 | .850 | 6.9 | 2.5 | .8 | .4 | 23.1 |
| 2004 | Sacramento Kings | 12 | 12 | 43.1 | .384 | .315 | .897 | 7.0 | 1.5 | 1.8 | .3 | 17.5 |
| 2005 | Sacramento Kings | 5 | 5 | 40.4 | .470 | .367 | .955 | 5.2 | 1.4 | .8 | .2 | 22.0 |
| 2006 | Indiana Pacers | 2 | 2 | 25.5 | .444 | .000 | .857 | 4.5 | 2.0 | .5 | .5 | 11.0 |
| 2008 | New Orleans Hornets | 12 | 12 | 37.9 | .436 | .549 | .926 | 5.4 | .5 | .5 | .1 | 14.1 |
| 2009 | New Orleans Hornets | 5 | 5 | 32.4 | .367 | .308 | .923 | 2.8 | .4 | .8 | .2 | 11.2 |
| 2011† | Dallas Mavericks | 19 | 0 | 18.4 | .408 | .377 | .778 | 1.7 | .4 | .6 | .1 | 7.1 |
| Career | 95 | 63 | 32.7 | .418 | .376 | .900 | 4.9 | 1.0 | .8 | .2 | 14.4 | |
8. Personal Life
Predrag Stojaković is married to Greek fashion model Aleka Kamila. The couple has three children, including a son named Andrej, born in 2004, who is also a basketball player and currently plays for the California Golden Bears. In 2014, the family resided in Glyfada, Greece.
Due to his acquisition of Greek citizenship, Stojaković fulfilled the mandatory service requirement in the Hellenic Army, which is compulsory for every male Greek citizen. Beyond his family life, Stojaković is actively involved in philanthropy. He runs the Peja Stojaković Children's Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to improving the lives of children in the Balkan countries of Serbia, Montenegro, and Greece.
9. Legacy and Influence
Predrag Stojaković is widely regarded as one of the greatest shooters in the history of the NBA. His consistent and high-percentage three-point shooting was a defining characteristic of his playing style and significantly influenced the game, emphasizing the value of outside shooting in modern basketball.
His impact on the Sacramento Kings franchise is particularly notable. In recognition of his contributions during a pivotal and successful era for the team, the Kings retired his jersey number 16 on 16 December 2014, a testament to his lasting legacy with the organization. Beyond the NBA, Stojaković's influence extends internationally. He was inducted into the Greek Basket League Hall of Fame in 2022, acknowledging his significant career in Greece before his NBA tenure. In 2021, HoopsHype named Stojaković one of the 75 Greatest International Players Ever, solidifying his status as a global basketball icon.
