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Who is Darko Milicic?
Darko Milicic is a former basketball player. Darko Milicic is both the youngest foreigner and NBA champion in league history. Darko is viewed as a draft bust in NBA history despite being selected highly in the star-studded 2003 rookie class.
Prior to his retirement in 2013, he had previously played for the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, and New York Knicks.
He participated in international competitions for Serbia’s national team in addition to the NBA.
Childhood & Parents
Darko Milicic was born on June 20, 1985, in Novi Sad, Serbia.
His parents are Zora Milicic and Milorad Milicic (mother).
In addition, he has a volleyball-playing sister named Tijana Milii.
The family of Darko originates from a Serbian village called Janj, which is close to Sipovo.
Darko grew up during the Yugoslav war. They had to spend days in basements because his city had been bombarded at the time.
His father served in the military and battled for the nation. Darko recalls a time when they watched television to stay informed about the latest developments.
Darko noticed his father’s image on the screen while the news reporter was discussing the deceased soldiers.
When he questioned his mother why his father was on the TV, she was unable to respond and broke down in tears.
A short while later, the newscaster apologized, claiming that some names were misspelled, and revealed that his father was still alive.
He briefly believed he had lost his father, but thankfully he had not.
Thankfully, they were still alive after the war.
After the battle was finished, everyone returned to their regular lives, and Darko was able to meet his father after he had safely returned from the conflict.
Net Worth
Darko Milicici is thought to have a net worth of about $25 million. His main source of income as an NBA player is his net worth.
The athlete agreed to a rookie contract worth $11,596,440 with the Detroit Pistons.
In 2008, Milicic signed the $5,050,000 contract with Dallas Mavericks that was the most lucrative in his career.
As a result of playing for many NBA teams, the player earned millions of dollars. His commercial efforts and investments have also brought him success.
Facts of Darko Milicic
| Name | Darko Milicic |
| Nick Name | Human Victory Cigar |
| Date of Birth | June 20, 1985 |
| Age | 37 years old |
| Birth Place | Novi Sad, SR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia |
| Nationality | Serbian |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Height | 7 feet (2.13 m) |
| Weight | 250 lb (113 kg) |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Father’s Name | Milorad Milicic |
| Mother’s Name | Zora Milicic |
| Siblings | One sister; Tijana Miličić |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Zorana Markuš |
| Marriage Year | 2009 |
| Children | Three; Lara , Lazar and Luka Miličić |
| Profession | Former NBA Player |
| Position | Center |
| Leagues | National Basketball Association (NBA) |
| NBA Draft | 2003 2nd overall, Round 1 pick by Detroit Pistons |
| Debut Year | 2003 |
| Retirement | 2013 |
| Playing Teams |
|
| International Award | Gold at 2001 European Championship for Cadets |
| Awards and achievements |
|
| Net Worth | $25 million |
| Social Media | None |
| Merch | Basketball Trading Card |
| Last Update | July 2022 |
Getting Started in Basketball
Basketball is a sport Darko’s father taught him to play. Darko was tall enough to play it, not because he was interested in doing so.
Darko afterward discovered that it was something he was proficient at.
He joined the basketball team to hone his talents but soon discovered that basketball was his life’s work.
He began playing basketball with Serbian Hemofarm’s junior squad when he was 14 years old.
The NBA scouted him in this manner prior to the 2003 draft. Darko claims that when he was being scouted by the NBA, he initially considered basketball as a means of leaving Serbia.
But he discovered later that basketball had become his passion after he had fallen in love with it.
Professional Career
Making History at the NBA Draft
The Detroit Pistons selected Darko Milicic with the second overall choice in the 2003 NBA Draft.
Darko, however, saw little action during his first campaign with the Pistons.
The following season, Darko’s playing time did not rise. He was dissatisfied with the Pistons since he assumed his performance would improve the more he played.
But the Orlando Magic dealt with Darko on February 15, 2006. In his new squad, he received a lot of playing time and played a big part.
Later, in 2008, the Serbian player agreed to a contract with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Darko’s tenure with the Grizzlies was regrettably a low moment in his career since he didn’t want to play for the team, he was hurt, and the squad was having trouble.
Giving Up On The NBA
After being traded to the New York Knicks on June 25, 2009, Milicic declared his decision to leave the NBA and play basketball in Europe once more the following season.
Darko played for the Minnesota Timberwolves once more, where he achieved his highest career totals.
After that, Milicic joined the Boston Celtics in September 2012 and played the fewest minutes.
Later, at his request, the Celtics released him so he could take care of personal matters. In June 2013, Darko declared his departure from the NBA.
However, he made the decision to come out of retirement and start playing basketball professionally once more, this time for Metalac Farmakom of the Basketball League of Serbia and the ABA League.
He later joined. In September 2019, I Came to Play was performed in his hometown of Novi Sad. Later, as a result of his shoulder injury, he quit.
Bust a Draft
The Detroit Pistons selected Darko with the second overall choice in the 2003 draft.
Darko did not live up to expectations despite being selected highly.
Star players like Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, and others made up the 2003 draft class.
In the draft class, Lebron James was selected first overall, followed by Darko and Carmelo Anthony.
Darko had the worst NBA statistics and the worst gameplay of any of his draft companions.
Darko is widely regarded as the NBA’s worst draft choice ever because he hasn’t contributed nearly as much to the Detroit Pistons as his draft peers have.
International Career
In 2001, Darko competed for the FR Yugoslavia U16 national team, who took home the gold medal at the European Cadet Championships.
Also in 2006, he helped Serbia and Montenegro won the FIBA World Championship. He had a significant impact on the outcome and came in second for the most scores.
Off The Court
When Milicic gave up playing basketball in 2014, he briefly pursued a career in kickboxing.
He made his public debut in his hometown of Novi Sad, but he soon gave up kickboxing after finding it to be unhelpful.
Additionally, Darko has a 125-acre apple orchard in Serbia where he is a farmer. In addition to growing apples, he also raises cherries and has plans to expand his farm.
Darko visited Italy after leaving the NBA to study the soil and how to grow fruit. He produces enormous amounts of apples and cherries, which he sends to Russia and many other nations.
Wife and kids
Zorana Marku, Darko Milicic’s longtime partner, is his wife.
The couple exchanged vows at Sremski Krlovci’s Cathedral Church of St. Nicholas on May 23, 2009.
When they got married, his girlfriend Zorana Markus was eight months along.
Numerous people attended the wedding, including the basketball team, close friends, and family, in a grand manner.
Zorana, Darko’s wife, works as a fashion designer. Lara is the couple’s only daughter, and Lazar and Luka are their two other children.
Height, Weight, and Age
Darko Milicic is currently 37 years old.
Darko also claims to be Serbian and was born in Novi Sad, SR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia. Serbia’s second-largest city is Novi Sad.
Milicic weighs about 250 pounds and stands 7 feet 0 inches (2.13 meters) tall.
Milicic has numerous tattoos that are engraved into his body. He is a Ravna Gora movement supporter.
On his back and stomach, he has tattoos of Chetnik leaders from World War II.
Living & Hobbies
Darko enjoys an opulent lifestyle, driving expensive cars and residing in mansions.
Larger than a castle, Darko’s residence in Novi Sad has a pool, playground, basketball court, and hunting room.
Darko keeps the heads of deer and bears in a hunting room at his mansion. Darko has horses as well that have a family history.
Darko also enjoys horseback riding, as does his son Lazar. Astor, a large horse that is 12 years old, belongs to Darko. For it, he erected a stable within the house.
Darko is also a spiritual and pious person. He spends much of his time in the Novo Hopovo Monastery, which he frequents.
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Social Media
Darko enjoys being present and keeping things private in his personal life.
As a result, he doesn’t use any social media sites.
There are, however, some phony Darko profiles, some of which have been suspended.
Darko currently doesn’t have any time to spend in the virtual world because he is too busy farming apples and cherries on his own planet.
