History of Vlade Divac in Timeline

Vlade Divac is a Serbian former professional basketball player and executive. He most recently served as the vice president of basketball operations and general manager for the Sacramento Kings in the NBA. Divac had a successful playing career, notable for his international play and contributions to the NBA, primarily with the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

February 3, 1968: Vlade Divac Born

On February 3, 1968, Vlade Divac, the Serbian professional basketball executive and former player, was born.

Others born on this day/year

1986: Partizan "Dream Team" formed

In 1986, Vlade Divac played on KK Partizan's "dream team" alongside other players like Aleksandar Đorđević. This team won the Yugoslavian League title in the subsequent 1986-87 season.

1986: Debuted for Yugoslavia National Team

In the summer of 1986, Vlade Divac debuted for the senior Yugoslavia national basketball team at the 1986 FIBA World Championship in Madrid.

1986: Signed with KK Partizan

In the summer of 1986, Vlade Divac signed with KK Partizan for DM14,000.

1987: Won gold at the FIBA Junior World Championship

In 1987, Vlade Divac was part of the team that won the gold at the 1987 FIBA Junior World Championship in Bormio, Italy.

1987: Partizan wins the Yugoslavian League title

In the 1986-87 season, Partizan, with players like Divac, won the Yugoslavian League title.

1988: Kings Final Season in Sleep Train Arena

The 2015-2016 season was the Sacramento Kings Final Season in Sleep Train Arena, the team's home since 1988.

1989: Lifted teammate for a slam dunk

During the 1989 EuroBasket, Vlade Divac lifted his teammate Zoran Radović for a slam dunk.

1989: Drafted into the NBA by the Los Angeles Lakers

In 1989, Vlade Divac was drafted into the NBA by the Los Angeles Lakers.

1989: Won gold at EuroBasket 1989

Vlade Divac and the Yugoslavian team won the gold medal at the EuroBasket 1989 tournament.

1990: Won gold at the FIBA World Championship

In 1990, Vlade Divac and the Yugoslavian team won the gold medal at the FIBA World Championship in Argentina.

1990: Commercial with Laker teammates for Schick brand razor company

In 1990, Vlade Divac appeared in a commercial with his Laker teammates A.C. Green and Mychal Thompson for the Schick brand razor company, showcasing his popularity and marketing potential in the American TV industry.

1991: Won gold at EuroBasket 1991

In 1991, Vlade Divac and the Yugoslavian team, with Aleksandar Đorđević at point guard, won the EuroBasket title.

1995: Croatia Walks off Podium

When FR Yugoslavia won gold and Croatia won bronze at the EuroBasket 1995, Croatia walked off the podium during the medal ceremony because they were at war with Serbs.

July 1, 1996: Traded to the Charlotte Hornets

On July 1, 1996, Vlade Divac was traded to the Charlotte Hornets for the draft rights to Kobe Bryant.

February 12, 1997: Career High 12 Blocks

On February 12, 1997, Vlade Divac scored 18 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, and recorded a career high 12 blocks in a 113–100 win over the New Jersey Nets.

1997: Divac establishes charity called Group Seven

Along with six Serbian basketball teammates, Divac established the charity called Group Seven in 1997, later renamed to "Divac's Children Foundation".

1998: Hornets Lost in Conference Semifinals

During the 1998 NBA playoffs, the Hornets beat the Atlanta Hawks in the first round, before losing to the defending champion Chicago Bulls in the conference semifinals.

1998: Played for KK Crvena Zvezda

During the 1998–99 NBA lockout, Vlade Divac played two games for Partizan's rival, KK Crvena zvezda, in the 1998–99 EuroLeague season.

1998: Divac's Children Foundation provides humanitarian assistance

From 1998 through 2007, Divac's own foundation provided over $2,500,000 in humanitarian assistance.

January 1999: Played for KK Crvena Zvezda

In January 1999, during the NBA lockout, Vlade Divac played 2 games for Partizan's rival KK Crvena zvezda in the EuroLeague season.

January 22, 1999: Signed with the Sacramento Kings

On January 22, 1999, Vlade Divac signed a six-year, $62.5 million contract as a free agent with the Sacramento Kings.

1999: Appears in 'The Weight of Chains'

In 1999, Vlade Divac appeared in Boris Malagurski's documentary film The Weight of Chains, where he spoke about the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia.

1999: Appearance on Larry King Live

Vlade Divac appeared on Larry King Live in 1999, marking another appearance in the American media during his career.

2000: Nomination for Sport Commission of the International Olympic Committee

In 2000, Vlade Divac was nominated as Yugoslavia's candidate for the Sport Commission of the International Olympic Committee, but this candidature was withdrawn under pressure from the Milošević regime.

2000: Running KK Partizan

In 2000, Vlade Divac was still playing so Danilović was running the day-to-day operations of KK Partizan. Divac stopped performing any official functions at the club in 2004.

2000: Divac receives J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award

In 2000, the NBA named Vlade Divac as the recipient of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for outstanding service and dedication to the community.

2001: Kings lead the NBA in wins

In 2001-02, the Sacramento Kings, revitalized by Divac and his teammates, led the NBA in wins.

2001: Duško Vujošević hired

In the summer of 2001 Vlade Divac and Danilović hired Duško Vujošević to be the head coach of KK Partizan.

2002: Won FIBA World Cup

In 2002, Vlade Divac was part of the team that won the FIBA World Cup in Indianapolis, beating Argentina in the final.

2002: Kings lose to Lakers in game 7

In 2002, the Sacramento Kings lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in a controversial 7-game series.

2002: Appearance on The Late Late Show

Vlade Divac appeared on The Late Late Show in 2002, adding to his appearances in the American media.

2003: Became a free agent

After the 2003–04 NBA season, Divac became a free agent.

July 20, 2004: Signed contract to return to the Lakers

On July 20, 2004, Vlade Divac signed a two-year contract to return to the Lakers.

2004: Divac and Danilović pulled out of venture

In late 2004 Vlade Divac and Danilović pulled out of venture in KK Partizan because it became too much of a financial burden.

July 14, 2005: Announced Retirement

On July 14, 2005, Vlade Divac announced his retirement from professional basketball after a 16-year NBA and 22-year professional career.

October 2005: Hired as Lakers European scout

In October 2005, Vlade Divac was hired as the Lakers' European scout after ending his playing career.

2005: Divac's attempt to take over Večernje novosti fails

In 2005, Vlade Divac's attempt to take over the Večernje novosti, a Serbian high-circulation daily, failed due to government intervention, leading to Divac halting investment attempts in Serbia.

June 2006: Divac links up with Ramón Calderón for Real Madrid presidency bid

In June 2006, Vlade Divac linked up with Ramón Calderón as part of Calderón's candidate bid for the presidency of Real Madrid through his friendship with Predrag Mijatović.

July 2, 2006: Divac announced as head of operations at Real Madrid basketball club

On July 2, 2006, after Ramón Calderón won the club elections, Vlade Divac was announced as the head of operations at Real Madrid basketball club. However, the scope of his job was soon reduced to consulting duties as president Calderón's adviser for basketball and the club's international coordinator.

2006: Left Lakers Scout Position

In 2006, Vlade Divac left the position as Lakers European scout.

March 2007: Divac admits his role at Real Madrid is largely symbolic

In a March 2007 interview, Vlade Divac admitted that his role in the club's day-to-day operations at Real Madrid was largely symbolic, stating that he only served as part of the club's image.

October 2007: Divac registered as owner of Voda Voda

In October 2007, Vlade Divac got legally registered as the 100% owner of Voda Voda, a bottled water brand previously owned by businessman Vojin Đorđević, leading to a stir of controversy.

November 2007: Controversy surrounding Divac's acquisition of Voda Voda

As of November 2007, the circumstances surrounding Vlade Divac's deal to acquire Voda Voda were still unclear, with accusations of deceit and questions about the validity of the contract presented to the Serbian Business Registers Agency.

2007: Divac's Children Foundation provides humanitarian assistance

From 1998 through 2007, Divac's own foundation provided over $2,500,000 in humanitarian assistance.

2007: Official farewell from basketball career

From September 21 to 23, 2007, Vlade Divac officially bid farewell to his basketball career in his hometown Prijepolje and Belgrade, promoting the "You Can Too" campaign with a gathering of friends and 10,000 people outside the National Assembly building.

2007: Farewell party performance

In 2007, Belgrade band Deca Loših Muzičara, who wrote the song "Vlade Divac" about his move to the Lakers, finally met Divac and performed the song with him at his farewell party.

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2007: Named to FIBA All-Time EuroStars Team

In 2007, Vlade Divac was named to the FIBA All-Time EuroStars Team.

2007: Divac founds humanitarian organization "You Can Too"

In late 2007, Vlade Divac founded a humanitarian organization, "You Can Too", with the goal of restoring abandoned homes in villages throughout Serbia and Africa, providing shelter for homeless refugees.

October 2008: Appointed as Government Advisor in Serbia

In October 2008, Vlade Divac was appointed as a government advisor in Serbia for humanitarian issues.

October 2008: Divac takes on political advisory role in Serbian government

In October 2008, it was announced that Vlade Divac would have a political advisory role within the Serbian government as the sports, diaspora, and humanitarian advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister and Internal Affairs Minister Ivica Dačić.

2008: Special guest on Eurovision 2008

In 2008, Vlade Divac appeared as a special guest on Eurovision, where he threw a ball into the audience to begin the televoting process.

February 2009: Divac wins presidency of the Olympic Committee of Serbia

In February 2009, Vlade Divac ran for the presidency of the Olympic Committee of Serbia against incumbent president Ivan Ćurković. He won the race after Ćurković withdrew just before the scheduled voting.

February 2009: Elected President of the Serbian Olympic Committee

In February 2009, Vlade Divac was elected President of the Serbian Olympic Committee for a four-year term.

March 31, 2009: Kings Retired Divac's Number

On March 31, 2009, the Sacramento Kings retired Vlade Divac's No. 21 jersey.

September 2009: Played in the NBA Asia Challenge

In September 2009, Vlade Divac played for the "NBA Generations" team in the 2009 NBA Asia Challenge.

August 20, 2010: Inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame

On August 20, 2010, Vlade Divac was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to international basketball.

November 2012: Re-elected President of the Serbian Olympic Committee

In November 2012, Vlade Divac was re-elected as the President of the Serbian Olympic Committee.

November 2012: Divac re-elected as president of the Olympic Committee of Serbia

In November 2012, Vlade Divac was re-elected as the sole candidate as the president of the Olympic Committee of Serbia.

2012: Expressed support for anti-flopping penalties

In 2012, when the NBA instituted anti-flopping penalties, Divac expressed his support, stating that players were overdoing the flopping.

2013: Received Honor from the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame

In 2013, Vlade Divac received an honor from the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame.

January 7, 2014: Death of Divac's father

On January 7, 2014, Vlade Divac's father, Milenko, passed away due to injuries sustained in a car accident.

December 2014: Kosovo accepted as a full member of the International Olympic Committee

In December 2014, Kosovo was accepted as a full member of the International Olympic Committee. Vlade Divac and the Serbian Olympic Committee were criticized for failing to prevent it, but Divac stated he couldn't have prevented the decision and would accept it in the interest of the athletes.

March 2015: Divac hired by the Sacramento Kings as VP of Basketball and Franchise Operations

In early March 2015, Vlade Divac was hired by the Sacramento Kings as their vice president of basketball and franchise operations, brought in by owner Vivek Ranadivé amidst a turbulent season.

June 10, 2015: General Manager D'Alessandro Leaves the Kings

On June 10, 2015, two weeks before the NBA draft, general manager Pete D'Alessandro left the Kings by accepting a front-office position with the Denver Nuggets amid reports he did so due to being stripped of his decision-making power after Ranadivé hired Divac.

July 9, 2015: Divac admits Karl-Cousins relationship "isn't pretty right now"

On July 9, 2015, Vlade Divac publicly admitted on CBS Sports Radio's The Jim Rome Show that the relationship between head coach George Karl and star center DeMarcus Cousins "isn't pretty right now".

July 13, 2015: Awkward handshake between Karl and Cousins, Divac arranges counseling session

On July 13, 2015, head coach George Karl and star center DeMarcus Cousins shared an awkward on-camera handshake during a 2015 NBA Summer League game in Las Vegas. Later that week, Vlade Divac summoned Cousins and Karl to a private counseling session.

July 2015: Kings make trades and sign free agents

In early July 2015, the Sacramento Kings agreed to a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers, sending Nik Stauskas, Carl Landry, and Jason Thompson, along with the Kings' future first-round draft pick to the Sixers. They also acquired Marco Belinelli, Rajon Rondo and Kosta Koufos.

August 31, 2015: Divac promoted to Kings' VP of Basketball Operations and General Manager

On August 31, 2015, Vlade Divac was promoted to the Sacramento Kings' vice president of basketball operations and general manager.

2015: Animosity between Karl and Cousins reignites, Kings select Willie Cauley-Stein

In 2015, animosity between head coach George Karl and star center DeMarcus Cousins reignited, with Karl lobbying for Cousins to be traded. At the 2015 NBA draft, the Kings selected Willie Cauley-Stein.

February 2016: Kings decide to retain head coach George Karl after initial decision to fire him

In February 2016, the Sacramento Kings briefly reached the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The organization initially decided to fire their head coach George Karl but retained him after Karl pledged to make changes.

March 2016: Divac signs multi-year contract extension with the Kings

In late March 2016, Vlade Divac signed a multi-year contract extension with the Sacramento Kings organization.

April 2016: Kings fire head coach Karl and hire Dave Joerger

In mid April 2016, the Sacramento Kings organization fired head coach George Karl, a decision made by Vlade Divac. Within three weeks, the Kings hired Dave Joerger as their new head coach.

2016: End of Divac's second mandate as president of the Olympic Committee of Serbia

In 2016, the end of Vlade Divac's second mandate coincided with the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, as president of the Olympic Committee of Serbia.

2016: Kings agree to a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers

In early July 2015, the Sacramento Kings agreed to a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers, sending Nik Stauskas, Carl Landry, and Jason Thompson, along with the Kings' future first-round draft pick to the Sixers as well as the rights to swap first-round picks in 2016

May 9, 2017: Divac succeeded as president of the Olympic Committee of Serbia

On May 9, 2017, Vlade Divac was succeeded by Serbian former basketball coach Božidar Maljković as the president of the Olympic Committee of Serbia.

2017: Kings select De'Aaron Fox in the NBA draft

At the 2017 NBA draft, the Kings selected point guard De'Aaron Fox out of Kentucky with the 5th pick.

2017: Kings agree to a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers

In early July 2015, the Sacramento Kings agreed to a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers, sending Nik Stauskas, Carl Landry, and Jason Thompson, along with the Kings' future first-round draft pick to the Sixers as well as the rights to swap first-round picks in 2017