June 19, 2013
Toni Kukoc (1985-2006)
Toni Kukoc
Teams: Split (CRO), Benetton Treviso (ITA), Chicago Bulls (USA), Philadelphia 76ers (USA), Atlanta Hawks (USA), Milwaukee Bucks (USA)
Toni Kukoc
Summary: A talented, left-handed, do-it-all swingman, Toni Kukoc broke all European basketball standards. He dominated European basketball with his creativity, deep shooting range and incredible talent. Kukoc led Split to three consecutive Euroleague titles from 1989 to 1991 and made it to another final with Benetton Treviso in 1993. He then left for the NBA, helping the Chicago Bulls to win three titles from 1996 to 1998. Kukoc also led the Yugoslavian national team to two EuroBasket titles and a World Championship and captured the silver medal at the 1992 Olympics with Croatia.
Toni Kukoc
WHAT THEY SAY...
Toni Kukoc: "I think that being chosen in the list of 50 Heroes says it all. Being in that list actually says that when I was playing in Europe during my time, I left some positive mark in basketball. I won a lot of titles with Jugoplastika, also with my national teams, but probably the three consecutive European Cup titles with Jugoplastika are the best moments of my European club career. The 1989 Euroleague Final Four was unknown territory for all of us, but we were a young team that practiced hard, played hard and enjoyed basketball. By 1990, Jugoplastika was the best team in Europe, in my opinion."
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