Nikola Vucevic, affectionately called as “Vooch”, is a Montenegrin professional basketball player who plays for the Chicago Bulls. He is known as one of the best three-point-shooting big men in the NBA. Vucevic entered the NBA with the 16th overall pick in the 2011 draft, selected by the Philadelphia 76ers. However, he didn't remain with the 76ers for long, as he was traded to the Orlando Magic.
Upon joining the Orlando Magic, Vucevic emerged as the franchise star, showcasing his prowess as a double-double machine. Throughout an illustrious nine-year career with the Magic, he left an indelible mark on the team's history. Vucevic's contributions are reflected in his impressive franchise records, ranking first in all-time field goals made (4,490), second in rebounds (6,381), third in blocks (550), third in points scored (10,423), and fourth in games played (591). Beyond individual accomplishments, he played a crucial role in breaking the Magic's six-year playoff drought, guiding the team to consecutive postseason appearances.
In March 2021, Vucevic was traded to the Chicago Bulls, where he continued his elite performances. Over his 13-year career, he has been named an All-Star twice, in 2019 and 2021. In 2022/23 he averaged 17.6 points, 11 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 0.9 blocks.
How many 3s does Nikola Vucevic average?
Source: Getty Images
Vucevic averages 2.4 3s per game for his career.
Early in his career, Vucevic was a traditional center as he mostly relied on post-play near the rim. He was not considered a 3-point shooter at all. In the first five seasons of his NBA career, from 2011 to 2016, Vooch played 283 games and attempted only 26 3-pointers, while making 7 of them.
Then the NBA witnessed the 3-point revolution, fueled by players like Steph Curry, James Harden and Damian Lillard. This prompted Vucevic to adapt his game. In the 2016 offseason, he actively worked on incorporating the 3-point shot into his offensive arsenal, recognizing the evolving demands for centers to stretch the floor.
In the 2016-2017 season, Vucevic significantly increased his 3-point attempts, taking 75 shots and making 23 of them at a 30.7% accuracy rate. This marked a notable shift in his playing style, as he started to embrace the role of a 3-point shooting big man.
During the 2020-2021 NBA season, Vucevic showcased his most formidable performance as a 3-point shooter. He attempted a total of 440 threes this season and made 176 of them, boasting an impressive 40% 3-point shooting accuracy from beyond the arc. This outstanding shooting established him as one of the best shooting big men in the league.
Cumulatively, throughout his career, Vucevic has maintained a 34.5% shooting percentage from 3-point range, solidifying his reputation as one of the premier shooting big men in the NBA. Throughout his outstanding career, Vucevic’s commitment to evolving his game and becoming a great 3-point shooter showcases his adaptability and skill progression.
How old is Nikola Vucevic?
Vucevic is 33 years old, as of December 2023. He was born on October 24, 1990.
FAQs
A. Nikola Vucevic has a three-year, $60 million contract with the Chicago Bulls. This contract ends in 2026.
A. Nikola Vucevic’s salary for the 2023/24 season is $18,518,519.
A. Nikola Vucevic is 32 years old as of December 2023. He was born on October 24, 1990 in Morges, Switzerland.
A. Nikola Vucevic played two NBA All-Star games in 2019 and 2021 for the Orlando Magic.
A. In the 2022/23 season, Nikola Vucevic averaged 17.6 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.
