Toni Kukoč

Toni Kukoč was a (6-10) “small” forward, who belied his size with point and shooting guard skills that made him almost unrivalled in European leagues early in his career. Kukoč was drafted by the NBA Chicago Bulls but initially resisted offers to sign with them to play first for Pop Split 84 and then in the Italian professional leagues. He helped Yugoslavia win a silver medal in basketball at Seoul in 1988. In 1992 at Barcelona, he played for the Croatian team which won the silver medal. At the World Championships he won a gold medal in 1990 with Yugoslavia and a bronze medal in 1994 with Croatia. At the European Championships he won two gold medals with Yugoslavia (1989, 91), and two bronzes – in 1987 with Yugoslavia and in 1995 with Croatia. Kukoč eventually joined the Chicago Bulls in 1993, and eventually played 13 years in the NBA, seven with the Bulls, and later with the Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, and Milwaukee Bucks. He was never a star in the league but played on three NBA Champions with the Bulls (1996-98), backing up Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. In 1995-96 he won the NBA’s Sixth Man Award.