History of Jusuf Nurkić in Timeline

Jusuf Nurkić is a Bosnian professional basketball player currently playing for the Utah Jazz in the NBA. Drafted 16th overall in 2014 by the Chicago Bulls and immediately traded to the Denver Nuggets, he has also played for the Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns and the Charlotte Hornets. Additionally, he represents the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team in international competitions.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1944: Meštrović Pavilion converted into a mosque

In 1944, the Meštrović Pavilion was converted into a mosque by the Ustaše regime in the Independent State of Croatia, a Nazi puppet state established in the occupied Yugoslavia. During that time, the Pavilion bore the name of Croatian fascist dictator and genocide perpetrator, Poglavnik Ante Pavelić (Džamija poglavnika Ante Pavelića, transl. the Poglavnik Ante Pavelić Mosque).

1973: Start of Steals and Blocks Recording

On January 1, 2019, Jusuf Nurkić logged a career-high 23 rebounds and became the first player since the official recording of steals and blocks began in 1973 to achieve 20+ points, 20+ rebounds, 5+ assists, 5+ blocks, and 5+ steals in a game.

November 1986: Comparison to Charles Barkley

On March 9, 2017, Nurkic had a career-high 28 points and 20 rebounds, becoming the first NBA player to post at least 28 points, 20 rebounds, eight assists, and six blocks in a game since Charles Barkley achieved the feat in November 1986.

August 1994: Jusuf Nurkić's Birth

In August 1994, Jusuf Nurkić was born. He is now a Bosnian professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the NBA.

Others born on this day/year

2010: Most Rebounds in a Game Since 2010

On March 3, 2024, Nurkić recorded a career-high 31 rebounds, marking the most rebounds in a game by a player since 2010.

February 2012: Loan to Union Olimpija

In February 2012, Jusuf Nurkić was briefly loaned to Union Olimpija to participate in the Nike International Junior Tournament in Belgrade, where he averaged 18.8 points and 11.0 rebounds across five games, gaining international attention.

October 2012: Signing with Cedevita Zagreb

In October 2012, Jusuf Nurkić signed a contract with Cedevita Zagreb after training with the team for a few months.

2012: MVP of FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship Division B

In 2012, Jusuf Nurkić was named MVP of the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship Division B, where he averaged 19.4 points and 13.3 rebounds per game.

January 2013: Loan to Zadar

In January 2013, Jusuf Nurkić was loaned to Zadar, hoping to play more minutes.

2013: FIBA EuroBasket 2013 qualification

In 2013, Jusuf Nurkić played a minor role in the senior team of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the FIBA EuroBasket 2013 qualification but did not make the squad for the final tournament due to a conflict with the board of the Bosnian National Basketball Association.

June 2014: NBA Draft Selection

On June 26, 2014, Jusuf Nurkić was selected by the Chicago Bulls as the 16th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft.

July 2014: Signing with the Denver Nuggets

On July 31, 2014, Jusuf Nurkić signed his rookie scale contract with the Denver Nuggets.

October 2014: NBA Debut

On October 29, 2014, Jusuf Nurkić made his NBA debut, recording five points and seven rebounds in a victory over the Detroit Pistons.

2014: MVP of FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship Division B

In 2014, Jusuf Nurkić was named MVP of the FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship Division B, where he averaged 21.4 points and 12.0 rebounds per game.

2014: FIBA Europe Young Player of the Year Nomination

In 2014, Jusuf Nurkić was nominated for the FIBA Europe Young Player of the Year Award, recognizing his talent and potential in European basketball.

2014: NBA Draft and Trade

In 2014, Jusuf Nurkić was selected by the Chicago Bulls as the 16th overall pick in the NBA draft and was subsequently traded to the Denver Nuggets on the same night.

January 2015: First Career Double-Double

In January 2015, Jusuf Nurkić achieved his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in a game against the Chicago Bulls. Two days later, he recorded his second career double-double.

October 2015: Nuggets Exercise Team Option

In October 2015, the Nuggets exercised their third-year team option on Jusuf Nurkić's rookie scale contract, extending the contract through the 2016–17 season.

April 2016: Trade Request

In April 2016, Jusuf Nurkić requested to be traded from the Denver Nuggets, marking his initial expression of dissatisfaction with his situation on the team.

October 2016: Career-High in Season Opener

In October 2016, during the Nuggets' 2016–17 season opener, Jusuf Nurkić set a new career high with 23 points in a victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

December 2016: Second Trade Request

In December 2016, Jusuf Nurkić reiterated his desire to leave the Denver Nuggets by requesting another trade, showing his continued frustration with his role on the team.

2016: 2015-16 Season Debut

In 2016, Jusuf Nurkić debuted in the 2015-16 season on January 2 against the Warriors, having been inactive for the first two months of the season due to recovering from his torn left patellar tendon.

February 2017: Trade to the Portland Trail Blazers

On February 13, 2017, Jusuf Nurkić was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers along with a 2017 first-round draft pick in exchange for Mason Plumlee, a 2018 second round pick and cash considerations.

February 2017: Trail Blazers Debut

On February 15, 2017, Jusuf Nurkić debuted for the Trail Blazers, recording 13 points and seven rebounds. He made his first start on February 23, 2017, recording 12 points and 12 rebounds.

March 2017: Career-High Performance

In March 2017, Jusuf Nurkić achieved a career-high 28 points and 20 rebounds in a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Later in the month, on March 28, 2017, he set a new career high with 33 points against his former team, the Denver Nuggets, and then was ruled out for the rest of the regular season due to a leg fracture.

April 2017: Return to Action and Playoff Series Loss

On April 22, 2017, Jusuf Nurkić returned to action in Game 3 of the Trail Blazers' first-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors, after missing games due to injury. The Trail Blazers ultimately lost the series 4-0.

November 2017: 29 Points and 15 Rebounds vs. Nets

On November 24, 2017, Jusuf Nurkić recorded 29 points and 15 rebounds in a 127–125 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

2017: Eurobasket 2017 qualification

In 2017, Jusuf Nurkić represented the senior Bosnia and Herzegovina national basketball team during Eurobasket 2017 qualification, averaging 19.2 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game.

2017: Trade to Portland Trail Blazers

In 2017, Jusuf Nurkić's request to be traded was granted by the Nuggets. He was traded 10 days before the 2017 trade deadline.

January 2018: Season-High Rebounds

On January 18, 2018, Jusuf Nurkić had 19 points and a season-high 17 rebounds in a 100–86 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

April 2018: Playoff Elimination

In April 2018, Jusuf Nurkić recorded 20 points and 19 rebounds in a loss to the Nuggets and had 18 points and 11 rebounds in a Game 4 loss to the Pelicans, resulting in the Trail Blazers being swept in the first round of the playoffs.

July 2018: Re-signing with the Trail Blazers

On July 6, 2018, Jusuf Nurkić re-signed with the Trail Blazers, continuing his career with the team.

October 2018: 22 Points and 18 Rebounds vs. Wizards

On October 22, 2018, Jusuf Nurkić recorded 22 points and 18 rebounds in a loss to the Washington Wizards.

November 2018: Career-Best Double-Double Streak

In November 2018, Jusuf Nurkić matched his career high with eight assists in a win against the Wizards. He recorded his career-best fifth straight double-double two days later in a victory over the New York Knicks.

2018: Acquisition of a second round pick

In February 2017, Jusuf Nurkić was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Mason Plumlee, a 2018 second round pick and cash considerations.

January 2019: Historic 5x5 Performance and First Career Triple-Double

In January 2019, Jusuf Nurkić achieved a historic milestone with a 20+/20+/5+/5+/5+ performance against the Sacramento Kings, becoming the first player since 1973 to reach those numbers. Later that month, on January 16, 2019, he recorded his first career triple-double against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

March 2019: Season-Ending Injury

On March 25, 2019, Jusuf Nurkić suffered a compound fracture of his left tibia and fibula during a game against the Brooklyn Nets, ending his season. He had a season-high 32 points and 16 rebounds before the injury.

2019: Injury

Nurkic was expected to return from his injury in March 2020. Nurkić sustained the injury in 2019.

March 2020: Expected Return from Injury

In March 2020, Jusuf Nurkić was expected to return from his injury.

July 2020: Return After Suspension

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jusuf Nurkić did not make his return until July 31, 2020, recording 18 points, nine rebounds, and six blocks in a victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

January 2021: Right Wrist Fracture

On January 14, 2021, Jusuf Nurkić fractured his right wrist during a game against the Indiana Pacers.

March 2021: Return from Wrist Fracture

On March 26, 2021, Jusuf Nurkić returned from his wrist fracture, recording eight points and eight rebounds in a victory over the Orlando Magic.

April 2021: Ramadan tweet controversy

On 12 April 2021, Jusuf Nurkić sparked controversy in former Yugoslavia after marking the beginning of Ramadan by tweeting an image of the Meštrović Pavilion in 1944, when it was converted into a mosque by the Ustaše regime in the Independent State of Croatia.

April 2021: Season-High Points

On April 23, 2021, Jusuf Nurkić logged a season-high 26 points in a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

January 2022: Ejection and Fine

In January 2022, Jusuf Nurkić was ejected from a game after an altercation with Tyler Herro and was subsequently fined $25,000 by the NBA. Later in the month, on January 22, 2022, he scored 29 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in a victory over the Boston Celtics.

March 2022: Fan Confrontation and Season-Ending Injury

In March 2022, Jusuf Nurkić was fined $40,000 by the NBA for a confrontation with a fan. On March 28, 2022, he was ruled out for the remainder of the season with plantar fasciitis in his left foot.

July 2022: Re-Signing with the Trail Blazers

On July 6, 2022, Jusuf Nurkić re-signed with the Trail Blazers on a four-year, $70 million contract.

2022: EuroBasket 2022

In 2022, Jusuf Nurkić represented Bosnia and Herzegovina at EuroBasket 2022, where the team was eliminated in the group stage. He helped his country get a "shock win", 97–93, against the defending champions Slovenia, and averaged 16.2 points and 7.0 rebounds over the tournament.

September 2023: Trade to the Phoenix Suns

On September 27, 2023, Jusuf Nurkić was traded to the Phoenix Suns as part of a three-team trade that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks.

March 2024: Career-High Rebounds and Franchise Record

On March 3, 2024, Jusuf Nurkić recorded a career-high 31 rebounds alongside 14 points in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, breaking the Suns franchise record for most rebounds in a game.

December 2024: Suspension for Altercation

On December 28, 2024, Jusuf Nurkić was suspended for 3 games without pay for an altercation involving Naji Marshall and P. J. Washington during a game against the Dallas Mavericks.

January 6, 2025: Move to the Bench

Beginning with their January 6, 2025 game against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Suns elected to move Nurkić to the bench in favor of Mason Plumlee.

February 2025: Trade to the Charlotte Hornets

On February 6, 2025, Jusuf Nurkić was traded to the Charlotte Hornets alongside a 2026 first-round pick in exchange for Cody Martin, Vasilije Micić, and a 2026 second-round pick.

June 2025: Trade to the Utah Jazz

On June 29, 2025, Jusuf Nurkić was traded to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Collin Sexton and a 2030 second-round pick.

2026: Draft Pick Exchange to Charlotte Hornets

In February 2025, Jusuf Nurkić was traded to the Charlotte Hornets alongside a 2026 first-round pick in exchange for Cody Martin, Vasilije Micić, and a 2026 second-round pick.