# Nikola Vučević
**Nikola Vučević** (born 1990) is a Montenegrin professional basketball player who plays center in the [National Basketball Association](https://www.edgepedia.org/national-basketball-association), most recently re-signing with the [Orlando Magic](https://www.edgepedia.org/orlando-magic) in July 2026 after stints with the [Philadelphia 76ers](https://www.edgepedia.org/philadelphia-76ers), the Magic, the Chicago Bulls, and the Boston Celtics.[1](https://www.nba.com/stats/player/202696/traditional) • [2](https://www.nba.com/news/nikola-vucevic-returning-to-magic-on-1-year-deal) A two-time All-Star known for scoring and rebounding from the center position, he has played 15 NBA seasons and passed 17,000 career points in 2025.[2](https://www.nba.com/news/nikola-vucevic-returning-to-magic-on-1-year-deal) • [3](https://www.nba.com/gamenotes/bulls.pdf?tid=1733192353359)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1990; Montenegrin national; 6'9" (2.06 m), 265 lb (120 kg)[1](https://www.nba.com/stats/player/202696/traditional) |
| Draft | 2011 NBA Draft, first round, 16th overall, by the Philadelphia 76ers[1](https://www.nba.com/stats/player/202696/traditional) • [4](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/v/vucevni01.html) |
| Teams | Philadelphia 2011–12; Orlando 2012–21; Chicago 2021–26; Boston 2026; Orlando again from July 2026[2](https://www.nba.com/news/nikola-vucevic-returning-to-magic-on-1-year-deal) • [5](https://as.com/baloncesto/nba/vucevic-llega-a-los-celtics-f202602-n/) |
| Honors | Two NBA All-Star selections, both during his Orlando years[2](https://www.nba.com/news/nikola-vucevic-returning-to-magic-on-1-year-deal) |
| Career milestone | Passed 17,000 career points on November 29, 2025, the 13th center in NBA history to reach the plateau[3](https://www.nba.com/gamenotes/bulls.pdf?tid=1733192353359) |
| 2025–26 season | 15.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game in 64 games split between Chicago and Boston[2](https://www.nba.com/news/nikola-vucevic-returning-to-magic-on-1-year-deal) |
| Current contract | One year, $3.9 million (minimum) with the Orlando Magic, signed July 2026[2](https://www.nba.com/news/nikola-vucevic-returning-to-magic-on-1-year-deal) |
## Early life and family
Vučević was born in Switzerland and raised in Belgium before his family moved back to their native [Montenegro](https://www.edgepedia.org/montenegro) when he was a teenager.[6](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-nov-27-la-sp-usc-basketball27-2009nov27-story.html) [Basketball](https://www.edgepedia.org/basketball) ran in the family: his father, Borislav Vučević, a 6-foot-10 forward, played professionally for 24 years, won a European Champions Cup in 1979, and starred for the Yugoslav national team alongside [Dražen Petrović](https://www.edgepedia.org/drazen-petrovic).[6](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-nov-27-la-sp-usc-basketball27-2009nov27-story.html) • [7](https://www.nba.com/magic/vucevic-had-make-lot-sacrifices) Nikola idolized his father, watched his practices and games as a child, and initially aimed at a professional career in Europe, playing for Montenegro's under-18 national team.[6](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-nov-27-la-sp-usc-basketball27-2009nov27-story.html)
The route to the United States came through an uncle coaching in France, who arranged a tryout at Stoneridge Prep in [Simi Valley, California](https://www.edgepedia.org/simi-valley-california). Vučević became the school's leading scorer (18 points per game) and rebounder (12 per game) despite a faint grasp of English, and committed to the [University of Southern California](https://www.edgepedia.org/university-of-southern-california).[6](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-nov-27-la-sp-usc-basketball27-2009nov27-story.html) His one-year stint at Stoneridge Prep left him ineligible at the start of his college career because of NCAA Clearinghouse issues.[7](https://www.nba.com/magic/vucevic-had-make-lot-sacrifices)
## College career at USC
At USC, Vučević started only three games as a freshman in 2008–09, averaging 2.6 points and 2.7 rebounds.[6](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-nov-27-la-sp-usc-basketball27-2009nov27-story.html) His rise came quickly the following season: after two games of his sophomore year he led the Trojans in scoring (18.5 points) and rebounding (9.5), aided by a depleted roster that had lost coach Tim Floyd, three players to the NBA Draft, and several recruits.[6](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-nov-27-la-sp-usc-basketball27-2009nov27-story.html)
## NBA career
**Philadelphia and the move to Orlando.** The 76ers selected Vučević with the 16th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.[1](https://www.nba.com/stats/player/202696/traditional) His rookie season lasted only 51 games because of the lockout-shortened schedule, and he was then involved in a four-team trade that sent him to Orlando.[8](https://as.com/baloncesto/euroliga/vucevic-siempre-me-ha-fascinado-el-madrid-f202608-n/)
**Orlando Magic, 2012–2021.** Vučević spent nine seasons with the Magic and earned his two All-Star selections there.[2](https://www.nba.com/news/nikola-vucevic-returning-to-magic-on-1-year-deal) • [8](https://as.com/baloncesto/euroliga/vucevic-siempre-me-ha-fascinado-el-madrid-f202608-n/)
**Chicago Bulls, 2021–2026.** Orlando traded Vučević to Chicago in March 2021, in a deal that sent [Wendell Carter Jr.](https://www.edgepedia.org/wendell-carter-jr), Otto Porter Jr., and first-round picks (Franz Wagner in 2021 and Jett Howard in 2023) to the Magic.[9](https://as.com/us/masdeporte/nikola-vucevic-se-queda-con-los-chicago-bulls-hasta-2026-n/) In June 2023 he signed a three-year, $60 million extension with the Bulls.[9](https://as.com/us/masdeporte/nikola-vucevic-se-queda-con-los-chicago-bulls-hasta-2026-n/) On November 29, 2025, he scored his 17,000th career point, becoming the 13th center in NBA history to reach that mark.[3](https://www.nba.com/gamenotes/bulls.pdf?tid=1733192353359)
**Boston Celtics, 2026.** In February 2026, days before the trade deadline, the rebuilding Bulls sent Vučević to the [Boston Celtics](https://www.edgepedia.org/boston-celtics) in exchange for guard [Anfernee Simons](https://www.edgepedia.org/anfernee-simons), part of a broader teardown that also moved [Coby White](https://www.edgepedia.org/coby-white), Kevin Huerter, Julian Phillips, Dalen Terry, and Ayo Dosunmu.[5](https://as.com/baloncesto/nba/vucevic-llega-a-los-celtics-f202602-n/) • [10](https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/05/bulls-trade-vucevic-white-dosunmu-reset-franchise-michael-jordan) At the time of the trade he was averaging 16.9 points, 9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in his 15th NBA season.[5](https://as.com/baloncesto/nba/vucevic-llega-a-los-celtics-f202602-n/) He finished the season with 15.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game across 64 games with Chicago and Boston.[2](https://www.nba.com/news/nikola-vucevic-returning-to-magic-on-1-year-deal)
**Return to Orlando.** On July 1, 2026, Vučević signed a one-year, $3.9 million minimum contract to return to the Magic, the team where he has spent the bulk of his career, providing frontcourt depth for a team expecting to contend in the Eastern Conference playoffs.[2](https://www.nba.com/news/nikola-vucevic-returning-to-magic-on-1-year-deal)
## Playing style
Vučević is described as a modern stretch center who doubles as a rebounding engine, with limitations that include perimeter defense against quicker bigs, occasional rim-protection lapses, and a dependence on team spacing to maximize his shooting.[11](https://mipaoverseas.com/nikola-vucevic-stats-role-impact/) He does not offer the vertical rim protection typically expected of an elite NBA center.[12](https://www.metroleague.org/is-nikola-vucevic-good/) His passing stands out for the position: he has ranked among the league leaders in assists by big men, and among centers he has been tied for the third-highest 3-point volume at 2.1 attempts per game, alongside [Nikola Jokić](https://www.edgepedia.org/nikola-jokic) and [Naz Reid](https://www.edgepedia.org/naz-reid).[13](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nikola-vu-evi-underrated-overhated-210500597.html) He also ranked seventh in the league in defensive rebounding in the 2024–25 season.[13](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nikola-vu-evi-underrated-overhated-210500597.html)
## National team
Vučević has represented Montenegro internationally and retired from the national team after a career in which his all-around capabilities made him a dominant player for the program; Montenegro finished in 7th place at one tournament during his tenure.[14](https://www.fiba.basketball/en/news/nikola-vucevic-interview-montenegro-retirement)
## Career totals
Across 15 NBA seasons through 2026, Vučević has played 1,036 regular-season games, averaging 17.1 points per game, with two All-Star selections and five playoff appearances in that span.[8](https://as.com/baloncesto/euroliga/vucevic-siempre-me-ha-fascinado-el-madrid-f202608-n/)
## References
1. [Nikola Vučević player profile, NBA.com](https://www.nba.com/stats/player/202696/traditional)
2. [Nikola Vučević returns to Magic on 1-year deal, NBA.com](https://www.nba.com/news/nikola-vucevic-returning-to-magic-on-1-year-deal)
3. [Chicago Bulls Game Notes (17,000-point milestone), NBA.com](https://www.nba.com/gamenotes/bulls.pdf?tid=1733192353359)
4. [Nikola Vučević Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status, Basketball-Reference](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/v/vucevni01.html)
5. [Vucevic llega a los Celtics, AS.com](https://as.com/baloncesto/nba/vucevic-llega-a-los-celtics-f202602-n/)
6. [Vucevic makes a quick rise, Los Angeles Times (2009)](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-nov-27-la-sp-usc-basketball27-2009nov27-story.html)
7. [Vucevic: "Had to Make A Lot of Sacrifices", Orlando Magic](https://www.nba.com/magic/vucevic-had-make-lot-sacrifices)
8. [Vucevic: "Siempre me ha fascinado el Madrid", AS.com](https://as.com/baloncesto/euroliga/vucevic-siempre-me-ha-fascinado-el-madrid-f202608-n/)
9. [Nikola Vucevic se queda con los Chicago Bulls hasta 2026, AS.com](https://as.com/us/masdeporte/nikola-vucevic-se-queda-con-los-chicago-bulls-hasta-2026-n/)
10. [Bulls trade Vučević, White, Dosunmu as franchise hits reset button, Axios Chicago](https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/05/bulls-trade-vucevic-white-dosunmu-reset-franchise-michael-jordan)
11. [Nikola Vučević: Stats, Role, and Team Impact Review, mipaoverseas.com](https://mipaoverseas.com/nikola-vucevic-stats-role-impact/)
12. [Is Nikola Vucevic Good? Scouting Report and Career Value, Metro League](https://www.metroleague.org/is-nikola-vucevic-good/)
13. [Is Nikola Vučević underrated — or overhated — with Chicago Bulls?, Yahoo Sports](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nikola-vu-evi-underrated-overhated-210500597.html)
14. [Climbing the Black Mountain: Vucevic reflects on his national team career, FIBA](https://www.fiba.basketball/en/news/nikola-vucevic-interview-montenegro-retirement)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Other team and ball sports › Basketball and court team sports › Basketball players and coaches (biographies) › Current NBA players › Centers*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license