The NBA career of Darko Milicic was so nondescript that it’s almost shocking that a video of his ten best plays as a pro even exists.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfuRvwWZKgo
Darko will forever be remembered as the biggest bust in the 2003 NBA Draft. He was picked No. 2 overall, just behind LeBron James and just ahead of Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.
One of those names didn’t turn out like the others.
Darko’s NBA career is over now, but he’s still young enough (29) to switch gears to another sport: Kickboxing. That’s right. Darko is going to be a kick boxer in Serbia. Here’s the translation from Yardbarker.
“According to a report on NBASerbia.com, Milicic will sign a contract Wednesday to become a professional kickboxer in his native Serbia. The story, headlined “Darko Milicic put an end: Goodbye NBA career, good afternoon kick-boxing!” according to Google Translate, says Milicic’s first fight will also be announced Wednesday.”
Darko played center for the Pistons, Grizzlies, Magic, Knicks and Timberwolves during his 12-year career. He averaged 6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. His best season was with the Wolves, when in 2011 he averaged 12.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3 blocks per game.
After signing Darko to a four-year, $20 million contract in 2010, then-general manager of the Timberwolves David Kahn referred to Milicic as “Manna from heaven.”
“With us (Darko) was like Manna from heaven,” Kahn said at the time, via Pro Basketball Talk. “He is 7’1″ and legitimately moves like a forward… I haven’t seen a big man pass like him. He really does pass like Vlade (Divac).”
Kahn eventually compared Darko to former NBA star turned TV broadcaster Chris Webber during a Summer League broadcast. Webber was stunned, and appropriately put Kahn in his place.
