Quick Facts
| Name | Darko Milicic |
| Nick Name | Human Victory Cigar |
| Date of Birth | June 20, 1985 |
| Age | 36 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 | May 2022 |
Serbia’s Darko Milicic is a former NBA player. The 7-footer is the youngest player in NBA history to win a championship, as well as the youngest foreigner to do it.
What is Darko Milicic’s Salary and Networth?
Darko Milicic net worth is reported to be at $25 million. His net worth is determined from his main source of income, which is as an NBA player.
The athlete signed a $11,596,440 rookie contract with the Detroit Pistons.
Milicic signed his most costly contract, for $5,050,000, with the Dallas Mavericks in 2008.
As a result, the athlete earned millions of dollars while playing for various NBA clubs. His investments and commercial endeavours have also brought him success.
Early Years of Darko Milicic
Darko Milicic was born in Novi Sad, Serbia, on June 20, 1985. Milorad Milicic (father) and Zora Milicic (mother) are his parents (mother).
In addition, he has a volleyball player sister, Tijana Milii. Darko’s family is from Janj, a tiny village near Sipovo in Serbia.
Darko grew up during the Yugoslav conflict. His city was attacked at the time, and they were forced to dwell in cellars for days.
His father was a soldier who served his nation in the war. Darko recalls a time when they were watching TV to keep up with the current circumstances.
Darko noticed his father’s photo on the TV while the news reporter was reporting about the deceased troops. He inquired as to why his father was on the TV, but his mother was unable to respond and began to cry.
After a few minutes, the news reporter apologized, stating that some of the names were incorrect, and that his father was still alive. He believed he’d lost his father at that point, but thankfully he didn’t.
Fortunately, they lived to see the end of the war. When the war ended, everyone returned to their normal lives, and Darko was finally able to see his father, who had come home safely from the war.
Basketball Initiation
Darko learned to play basketball from his father.He was chosen because he was tall enough to play it, not because he was interested. Darko afterwards discovered that it was something he excelled at.
He joined a basketball club to improve his talents, and basketball quickly became his passion. He began playing basketball with Serbian Hemofarm’s junior squad when he was 14 years old.
In 2003, the NBA used this method to scout him for the draft. Darko claims that when he was recruited for the NBA, he thought of basketball as a ticket out of Serbia.
However, he eventually discovered that he had fallen in love with basketball, which he pursued as a hobby.
Darko Milicic ( Height, Weight, and Age)
Darko Milicic is 36 years old, having been born in 1985.
Gemini is the sign of the zodiac for those born in August.
Geminis are sociable, affable, and adaptable. Darko is well described in this way.
Darko also claims to be a Serbian, having been born in Novi Sad, SR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia. Novi Sad is Serbia’s second-largest city.
Milicic is also a tall man, standing at 7 feet 0 inches (2.13 meters) and weighing roughly 250 pounds (113 kg).
Milicic has a lot of tattoos all over his body. He is an advocate for the Ravna Gora movement. As a result, he has tattoos of Chetnik commanders from World War II on his stomach and back.
Darko Milicic’s Professional Career
Making History in the NBA Draft
The Detroit Pistons picked Darko Milicic with the second overall choice in the NBA draft in 2003.
Darko, on the other hand, saw little action in his first season with the Pistons.
Darko’s playing time did not improve in the next season, and he was upset with the Pistons since he thought the more he could play, the better he could perform.
Darko, on the other hand, was dealt with by the Orlando Magic on February 15, 2006. In his new squad, he got a lot of playing time and played an important role.
In 2008, the Serbian forward signed with the Memphis Grizzlies. Darko’s tenure with the Grizzlies was unfortunately a low moment in his career; he refused to play for the squad, he was injured, and the team was suffering.
Retiring from the National Basketball Association
Milicic was traded to the New York Knicks on June 25, 2009, and later stated his decision to leave the NBA and return to European basketball the following season.
Darko was transferred to the Minnesota Timberwolves once more, and it was with them that he reached career highs.
Milicic was subsequently traded to the Boston Celtics in September 2012, where he saw the least amount of action. The Celtics eventually released him at his request so that he could take care of personal matters.
In June 2013, Darko announced his retirement from the NBA.
However, he opted to come out of retirement to play professional basketball with Metalac Farmakom of the Serbian Basketball League and the ABA League.
He afterwards became a member of In September of this year, I visited his hometown of Novi Sad to perform. He later quit due to a shoulder ailment.
Draft Bust
The Detroit Pistons picked Darko Milicic with the second overall choice in the 2003 draft class. Despite being a high draft pick, Darko fell short of the expectations placed on him.
LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, and others were among the stars of the 2003 draft class.
LeBron James was selected first overall, Darko Milicic was selected second, and Carmelo Anthony was selected third overall.
Darko has the lowest NBA statistics and gameplay when compared to his fellow draftees.
Most people say Darko Milicic is the NBA’s worst draft flop since he hasn’t accomplished nearly as much as his fellow selection picks and hasn’t made a significant impact to the Detroit Pistons.
To summarize, most people feel Darko is the biggest draft flop in NBA history, but some believe he may have showed his potential if he had been picked by a rebuilding club rather than being pigeonholed by the Pistons.
He wasn’t the worst player in the draft, but he had failed in comparison to his peers.
Darko Milicic International Career
Darko was a member of the FR Yugoslavia U16 national team in 2001, where they won gold at the European Cadet Championships.
He also won the 2006 FIBA World Championship with Serbia and Montenegro. He came in second place for the most points and made a significant contribution to the team’s triumph.
Off The Court Darko Milicic
After retiring from basketball in 2014, Milicic pursued a brief kickboxing career. He made his formal debut in Novi Sad, but kickboxing did not suit him, therefore he stopped doing it.
Darko also works as a farmer in Serbia, where he has a 125-acre apple orchard. He grows cherries in addition to apples and has ambitions to expand his farm.
Darko moved to Italy after retiring from the NBA to study about soil and how to cultivate crops. He grows and ships lots of apples and cherries to Russia and other nations.
Wife & Children of Darko Milicic’s Personal Life
Darko Milicic is married to Zorana Marku, his long-time lover. The pair married on May 23, 2009, at Sremski Krlovci’s Cathedral Church of St. Nicholas.
During their wedding, his girlfriend Zorana Markus was eight months pregnant. The wedding was lavishly attended by hundreds of people, including members of the basketball team, close friends, and family.
Darko’s wife, Zorana, works as a fashion designer. Lara is the couple’s daughter, and Lazar and Luka are their sons.
Hobbies
Darko leads an opulent lifestyle, driving expensive automobiles and living in mansions. With a pool, playground, basketball court, and hunting room, Darko’s estate in Novi Sad is larger than a castle.
Darko’s residence features a hunting chamber where he keeps the heads of deer and bears. Darko also owns horses that have been a part of his family for generations.
Furthermore, Darko and his son, Lazar, also like horseback riding. Darko has Astor, a 12-year-old large horse. He’s erected a stable for it within the house.
Darko is also a devout Christian and a spiritual guy. He spends the most of his time in the Novo Hopovo Monastery, which he frequents.
FAQs
Does Darko Milicic have a ring?
Yes, Darko Milicic has a ring. He was the only player with the ring amongst the top four players drafted in the draft class of 2003.
What are the overall NBA statistics for Darko Miličić?
In his NBA career, Darko Milicic played 468 games with an average of 4.2 rebounds, 0.4 steals, 0.9 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 6.0 points per game.
Overall, he has scored 2813 points, 1971 rebounds, and 613 blocks.
You may also like: Carmelo Anthony
