Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Nikola Vučević

How Nikola Vučević built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Nikola Vučević is a Montenegrin professional basketball player currently playing for the Chicago Bulls in the NBA. He was drafted 16th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2011 NBA draft following his college basketball career with the USC Trojans. Vučević is known for his scoring, rebounding, and shooting ability, making him a valuable asset to his team.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1985: Second Center with 30-point Triple-Double

In February 2021, Vučević logged his third career triple-double with 30 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists, becoming the second center along with Nikola Jokić since 1985 to score a 30-point triple-double with zero turnovers.

1996: First Bulls player since Michael Jordan with stat line

On February 4, 2022, Vučević became the first Bulls player since Michael Jordan in 1996 to log at least 35 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocks in a game.

December 2008: First game with USC

On December 15, 2008, Vučević played in his first game with USC against Pepperdine, scoring two points and having two blocks and two rebounds in six minutes.

January 2009: First start of the season

On January 24, 2009, Vučević made his first start of the season at Washington State in the Trojans' 46–44 win, scoring a season-high eight points and five rebounds.

February 2009: Eight points against UCLA

On February 9, 2009, Nikola Vučević scored eight points at UCLA.

March 2009: Six points in NCAA Tournament

On March 22, 2009, Vučević scored six points and had four rebounds in the NCAA second-round loss to Michigan State.

November 2009: Improved performance at USC

On November 17, 2009, Vučević scored 18 points and had eight rebounds in the first game of his sophomore season against UC Riverside. On November 21, 2009, he scored a career-high 19 points and had 11 rebounds vs. Loyola Marymount for his first career double-double.

December 2009: 18 points and 14 rebounds at Texas

On December 3, 2009, Vučević had 18 points and 14 rebounds at Texas.

January 2010: Matched career-high points

On January 16, 2010, Vučević matched his career-high with 19 points on 9-of-12 shooting at UCLA, scoring 17 points in the second half.

March 2011: Announced NBA draft entry

In March 2011, Nikola Vučević announced that he would give up his senior year to enter the NBA draft.

June 2011: Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers

On June 23, 2011, Vučević was drafted with the 16th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.

December 2011: Signed rookie contract with 76ers

On December 9, 2011, Vučević signed his rookie scale contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.

2011: Drafted by Philadelphia 76ers

In 2011, Nikola Vučević was drafted 16th overall in the NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers after playing college basketball for the USC Trojans.

February 2012: Season-high 18 points

On February 22, 2012, Vučević scored a season-high 18 points in a loss to the Houston Rockets.

August 2012: Traded to Orlando Magic

On August 10, 2012, Vučević was traded to the Orlando Magic as part of a four-team deal.

December 2012: Franchise record with 29 rebounds

On December 31, 2012, in an overtime loss to the Miami Heat, Vučević set an Orlando Magic franchise record with 29 rebounds.

2012: Playoff Berth and All-Star drought

In 2012, Vučević helped the Magic clinch their first playoff berth. Also, in 2019 he became the Magic's first All-Star since Howard in 2012.

2012: Traded to Orlando Magic

In 2012, Vučević was traded to the Orlando Magic as part of a four-team trade that sent Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers.

April 2013: Career-high 30 points and 20 rebounds

On April 10, 2013, Vučević recorded his second straight 20/20 game with a career-high 30 points and 20 rebounds in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

November 2013: Career-high tying 30 points and 21 rebounds

On November 6, 2013, Vučević recorded a career-high tying 30 points and 21 rebounds in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

March 2014: Dominated against Charlotte Bobcats

On March 28, 2014, Vučević overcame a slow start to finish the game with 24 points and 23 rebounds in an overtime victory against the Charlotte Bobcats. On March 31, 2014, Vučević earned his first Eastern Conference Player of the Week honor.

October 2014: Signed contract extension with the Magic

On October 23, 2014, Vučević signed a four-year, $53 million contract extension with the Orlando Magic.

2014: Eastern Conference Player of the Week

In 2014, Vučević captured the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award for the first time in his NBA career, marking the first time a Magic player had won the award since then.

April 2015: Career-high 37 points

On April 3, 2015, Vučević scored a career-high 37 points in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

November 2015: Returned from Injury to Beat the Lakers

On November 11, 2015, Vučević returned to action after a three-game absence with a right knee contusion, scoring 18 points, including a fallaway 18-footer at the buzzer to lift the Magic over the Los Angeles Lakers 101–99.

February 2016: Buzzer Beater Against Hawks

On February 7, 2016, Vučević scored 22 points and hit an 18-footer at the buzzer to lead the Magic over the Atlanta Hawks 96–94.

November 2016: Came off the bench against the Bucks

On November 27, 2016, Nikola Vučević came off the bench for just the sixth time in his Magic tenure against the Milwaukee Bucks.

February 2017: 14 points and 19 rebounds

On February 7, 2017, Vučević had 14 points and a season-high 19 rebounds in a loss to the Houston Rockets.

March 2017: Return from Achilles injury

On March 11, 2017, Vučević returned from a sore right Achilles, scoring 20 points and 16 rebounds against Cleveland.

April 2017: Moved ahead of Shaquille O'Neal

On April 10, 2017, Nikola Vučević grabbed 10 rebounds against Chicago to move ahead of Shaquille O'Neal into second place in franchise history, trailing only Dwight Howard.

October 2017: Career-high 41 points

On October 20, 2017, Vučević scored a career-high 41 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in a loss to the Brooklyn Nets.

December 2017: First Career Triple-Double

On December 9, 2017, Vučević recorded his first career triple-double with 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

2017: First Bulls Player with Triple-Double Since Jimmy Butler

In May 2021, Vučević posted his second triple-double of the season and the fourth of his career with 18 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists, becoming the first Bulls player to log a triple-double since Jimmy Butler in 2017.

February 2018: Return from injury

On February 22, 2018, Vučević returned to action against the New York Knicks after missing 23 games due to a fractured left hand, recording 19 points and six rebounds in a loss.

October 2018: Second Career Triple-Double

On October 2018, Nikola Vučević recorded his second career triple-double with 27 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists in a 116–115 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

January 2019: All-Star Selection

In January 2019, Vučević had 16 points and 24 rebounds in a 106–96 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. On January 31, he received his first All-Star selection in his eight-year career, earning Eastern Conference reserve honors for the 2019 NBA All-Star Game, becoming the Magic's first All-Star since Howard in 2012.

July 2019: Signs Four-Year Contract with Magic

On July 6, 2019, Vučević signed a four-year, $100 million contract to remain with the Magic.

2020: Traded to Chicago Bulls

In 2020, during the season, the Orlando Magic traded Vučević to the Chicago Bulls.

February 2021: Career-High 43 Points and All-Star Selection

In February 2021, Nikola Vučević had two major achievements: On February 5, he scored a career-high 43 points, grabbed a season-high 19 rebounds, and dished out 4 assists in a 123–119 win over the Chicago Bulls. On February 23, Vučević was named an Eastern Conference reserve for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game.

March 2021: Traded to the Chicago Bulls

On March 25, 2021, Vučević was traded by the Orlando Magic along with Al-Farouq Aminu to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter Jr. and two future first-round picks.

February 2022: 36 points, 17 rebounds, four assists and three blocks

On February 4, 2022, Vučević finished with 36 points, 17 rebounds, four assists and three blocks in a 122–115 win over the Indiana Pacers, becoming the first Bulls player since Michael Jordan in 1996 to log 35 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocks in a game.

October 2022: Double-Double Against Celtics

On October 24, 2022, Vučević scored 18 points, grabbed 23 rebounds and delivered five assists in a 120–102 win against the Boston Celtics. On October 29, Vučević logged a double-double with 23 points and 19 rebounds in a 114–109 loss against the Philadelphia 76ers.

January 6, 2023: Fifth Career Triple-Double

On January 6, 2023, Vučević had his fifth career triple-double with 19 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists in a 126–112 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

June 28, 2023: Signs Contract Extension with Bulls

On June 28, 2023, Vučević signed a three-year, $60 million contract extension with the Bulls.

March 7, 2024: Season-High 33 Points Against Warriors

On March 7, 2024, Vučević scored a season-high 33 points, along with 11 rebounds and 5 assists in a 125–122 win over the Golden State Warriors.

January 17, 2025: Season-High 40 Points Against Hornets

On January 17, 2025, Vučević scored a season-high 40 points (17 in the fourth quarter) and grabbed 13 rebounds in a 125–123 loss against the Charlotte Hornets.