History of Nikola Vučević in Timeline
Nikola Vučević is a Montenegrin professional basketball player currently playing for the Boston Celtics in the NBA. Before his professional career, Vučević played college basketball for the USC Trojans. He was selected as the 16th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. He is known for his scoring, rebounding, and all-around offensive skills.
1979: Father's European Champions Cup Win
In 1979, Vučević's father, Borislav Vučević, was on the KK Bosna roster that won the European Champions Cup, marking a highlight in his 24-year professional basketball career.
1983: Father's Yugoslavia National Team Appearance
In 1983, Vučević's father, Borislav Vučević, made appearances for the Yugoslavia national team at the Mediterranean Games in Casablanca, Morocco.
1985: Father's EuroBasket Appearance
In 1985, Vučević's father, Borislav Vučević, represented Yugoslavia at EuroBasket in West Germany.
1985: Second Center with 30-point triple-double
On February 19, 2021, Vučević became the second center (along with Nikola Jokić) to score a 30-point triple-double with zero turnovers since 1985.
1992: Family moved to Belgium
In 1992, the Vučević family moved to Belgium when his father signed a professional contract there.
1996: First Bulls player since Michael Jordan to log 35 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocks in a game
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.
1996: Best Start Since 1996-97 Season
On November 2, 2025, Vučević scored 26 points as the Bulls defeated the New York Knicks improving to 5-0 for their best start since the 1996-97 season.
2003: Family moved to Montenegro
In 2003, the Vučević family moved to Montenegro, settling in Bar, his father's hometown, to provide Nikola a better chance at developing his basketball skills.
January 2006: Survived the Bioče derailment
In January 2006, Nikola Vučević and his father survived the Bioče derailment, a train crash in Montenegro.
October 2007: Moved to Simi Valley, California
In October 2007, Nikola Vučević moved to Simi Valley, California, to play his senior year of high school at Stoneridge Prep.
2007: Named Montenegro's Best Young Player
In 2007, Nikola Vučević was named Montenegro's Best Young Player.
December 2008: First game with USC
On 15 December 2008, Nikola Vučević played in his first game with USC against Pepperdine.
January 2009: First start of the season
On 24 January 2009, Nikola Vučević made his first start of the season at Washington State.
February 2009: Scored eight points at UCLA
On 9 February 2009, Nikola Vučević scored eight points at UCLA.
March 2009: Played in NCAA second-round loss to Michigan State
On 22 March 2009, Nikola Vučević scored six points in the NCAA second-round loss to Michigan State.
November 2009: First game of sophomore season
On 17 November 2009, Nikola Vučević scored 18 points and had eight rebounds in the first game of the season against UC Riverside. On 21 November 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 3 December 2009, Nikola Vučević had 18 points and 14 rebounds at Texas.
2009: Named Pac-10 Most Improved Player
In 2009, Nikola Vučević was named the 2009–10 Pac-10 Most Improved Player.
January 2010: Matched career high with 19 points at UCLA
On 16 January 2010, Nikola Vučević matched his career high with 19 points at UCLA.
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 23 June 2011, Nikola Vučević was drafted with the 16th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.
December 2011: Signed with the 76ers
On 9 December 2011, Nikola Vučević signed his rookie scale contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
2011: Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers
In 2011, Nikola Vučević was drafted 16th overall in the NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.
2011: FIBA EuroBasket 2011
In 2011, Vučević represented Montenegro at the FIBA EuroBasket, averaging 5.0 points per game and 3.2 rebounds per game.
February 2012: Season-high 18 points against Houston Rockets
On 22 February 2012, Nikola Vučević scored a season-high 18 points in a loss to the Houston Rockets.
August 2012: Traded to the Orlando Magic
On 10 August 2012, Nikola Vučević was traded to the Orlando Magic.
December 2012: Franchise record with 29 rebounds
On 31 December 2012, Nikola Vučević set an Orlando Magic franchise record with 29 rebounds in an overtime loss to the Miami Heat.
2012: Dwight Howard last win of the Eastern Player of the Week honors
Nikola Vučević became the first Magic player to win the Eastern Player of the Week honors since Dwight Howard in 2012.
2012: Playoff Berth
Vučević helped the Magic go 22–9 over the final 31 games of the season to clinch their first playoff berth since 2012.
April 2013: Career-high 30 points and 20 rebounds
On 10 April 2013, Nikola 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: Tied career-high 30 points and 21 rebounds
On 6 November 2013, Nikola Vučević recorded a career-high tying 30 points and 21 rebounds in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
2013: FIBA EuroBasket 2013
In 2013, Vučević represented Montenegro at the FIBA EuroBasket, averaging 7.0 points per game and 4.0 rebounds per game.
March 2014: Dominated the Charlotte Bobcats
On 28 March 2014, Nikola Vučević finished the game with 24 points and 23 rebounds in an overtime victory against the Charlotte Bobcats. On 31 March 2014, Vučević earned his first Eastern Conference Player of the Week honor.
October 2014: Signed contract extension with the Magic
On 23 October 2014, Nikola Vučević signed a four-year, $53 million contract extension with the Orlando Magic.
2014: Eastern Conference Player of the Week
In 2014, Nikola Vučević won the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award for the first time in his NBA career. It was the first time a Magic player has won the award since 2014.
March 2015: Magic player to score 30 points in back-to-back games
During a stretch of strong play in March 2015, Vučević became the first Magic player to score 30 points in back-to-back games since Victor Oladipo.
April 2015: Career-high 37 points
On 3 April 2015, Nikola Vučević scored a career-high 37 points in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
November 2015: Came off the bench for the first time with the Magic
On 11 November 2015, Nikola Vučević came off the bench for the first time, scoring 18 points to lift the Magic over the Los Angeles Lakers 101–99.
February 2016: Scored winning shot against Atlanta Hawks
On 7 February 2016, Nikola Vučević scored 22 points and hit an 18-footer at the buzzer to lead the Magic over the Atlanta Hawks 96–94. On 23 February 2016, he scored a season-high 35 points in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
November 2016: Came off the bench against the Milwaukee Bucks
On 27 November 2016, Nikola Vučević came off the bench against the Milwaukee Bucks for just the sixth time in his Magic tenure.
2016: Marriage to Nikoletta Pavlović
In 2016, Nikola Vučević married his longtime girlfriend, Nikoletta, the sister of former NBA player Aleksandar "Sasha" Pavlović.
February 2017: Season-high 19 rebounds against Houston Rockets
On 7 February 2017, Nikola Vučević had 14 points and a season-high 19 rebounds in a loss to the Houston Rockets.
March 2017: Returned after Achilles injury
On 11 March 2017, Nikola Vučević had a team-high 20 points and 16 rebounds in a loss to Cleveland after missing the previous four games with a sore right Achilles.
April 2017: Moved ahead of Shaquille O'Neal in franchise history
On 10 April 2017, Nikola Vučević grabbed 10 rebounds against Chicago to move ahead of Shaquille O'Neal into second place in franchise history.
October 2017: Career-high 41 points
On 20 October 2017, Nikola 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 9 December 2017, Nikola Vučević recorded his first career triple-double with game highs of 31 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks. On 23 December 2017, he suffered a fractured left hand against the Washington Wizards and was subsequently ruled out for six to eight weeks.
2017: FIBA EuroBasket 2017
In 2017, Vučević represented Montenegro at the FIBA EuroBasket.
2017: First Bulls player to log a triple-double since 2017
On May 7, 2021, Vučević posted his second triple-double of the season and the fourth of his career, becoming the first Bulls player to log a triple-double since Jimmy Butler in 2017.
February 2018: Returned from injury
On 22 February 2018, Nikola 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.
October 2018: Second Career Triple-Double
On October 2018, Nikola Vučević achieved his second career triple-double with 27 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
January 2019: First All-Star Selection
On January 31, 2019, Vučević 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: Signed contract with the Magic
On July 6, 2019, Vučević signed a four-year, $100 million contract to remain with the Magic as an unrestricted free agent.
2019: 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup
In 2019, Vučević represented Montenegro at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, averaging 14.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.
2020: Traded to the Chicago Bulls
In 2020, Nikola Vučević was traded by the Orlando Magic to the Chicago Bulls.
2020: Season Averages with the Magic
In the 2020-21 season, before being traded in March 2021, Vučević played in 44 games for the Magic, averaging 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.
February 2021: Career-High 43 Points
On February 5, 2021, Vučević scored a career-high 43 points, grabbed a season-high 19 rebounds and dished out 4 assists in a win over the Chicago Bulls. On February 23, 2021, 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 to the Chicago Bulls. He debuted for the Bulls on March 27, 2021, in a loss to the San Antonio Spurs, scoring 21 points.
November 2021: Entered NBA's Health and Safety Protocols
On November 11, 2021, Vučević entered the NBA's health and safety protocols after testing positive for COVID-19. On November 29, 2021, Vučević logged 30 points in a 133–119 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.
December 2021: Elected to KK Crvena zvezda Assembly
On December 27, 2021, Nikola Vučević was elected as a member of the Assembly for KK Crvena zvezda for a five-year term.
February 2022: 36 Points and 17 Rebounds
On February 4, 2022, Vučević finished with 36 points and 17 rebounds in a win over the Indiana Pacers. On February 14, 2022, Vučević scored 25 points in a win against the San Antonio Spurs.
October 2022: 23 Rebounds Against Celtics
On October 24, 2022, Vučević scored 18 points and grabbed 23 rebounds in a win against the Boston Celtics. On October 29, 2022, Vučević logged a double-double with 23 points and 19 rebounds in a loss against the Philadelphia 76ers.
November 2022: Fined by the NBA
On November 11, 2022, Vučević was fined $15,000 by the NBA for making an obscene gesture on the playing court during a game on November 9 against the New Orleans Pelicans.
January 6, 2023: Fifth Career Triple-Double
On January 6, 2023, Vučević recorded his fifth career triple-double with 19 points, 18 rebounds, and 10 assists in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
June 28, 2023: Signed Contract Extension with Bulls
On June 28, 2023, Vučević signed a three-year, $60 million contract extension with the Bulls.
2023: 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup
In 2023, Vučević represented Montenegro at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, averaging 19.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.
March 7, 2024: Season-High 33 Points
On March 7, 2024, Vučević scored a season-high 33 points in a win over the Golden State Warriors.
October 2024: U.S. Citizenship
On October 2, 2024, Nikola Vučević became a U.S. citizen, holding dual citizenship with Montenegro and Belgium.
January 17, 2025: Season-High 40 Points
On January 17, 2025, Vučević scored a season-high 40 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in a loss against the Charlotte Hornets.
October 22, 2025: Season Debut
On October 22, 2025, Vučević recorded 28 points and 14 rebounds in the Chicago Bulls’ win over the Detroit Pistons.
2025: Retirement from International Basketball
In 2025, Nikola Vučević retired from international basketball after EuroBasket 2025. He led Montenegro in points, rebounds, and blocks, averaging 20.8 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks per game. However, Montenegro failed to advance, and Vučević cited the need for a new generation to emerge.
January 14, 2026: Season High 35 points
On January 14, 2026, Vučević scored a season-high 35 points to lead the Bulls to a 128–126 win over the Utah Jazz.
February 5, 2026: Traded to the Boston Celtics
On February 5, 2026, Vučević was traded to the Boston Celtics.
2026: Traded to the Boston Celtics
In 2026, Nikola Vučević was traded to the Boston Celtics after playing for the Chicago Bulls for five seasons.
2027: Traded a 2027 second-round pick
On February 5, 2026, Vučević and a 2027 second-round pick were traded to the Boston Celtics.
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