Hailing from Koper, Slovenia Vlatko Čančar is a professional basketball player, who plays as a Small forward for the 2023 NBA Champions, the Denver Nuggets. Born in April 1997, Čančar’s passion for basketball grew massively in his teen years as he worked hard to be the best player on the teams he played for.
Vlatko rose through the ranks of Slovenian basketball with a splendid performance for the Junior team, making him a regular for the senior men’s team in the coming years. His role in Slovenia’s Championship win in EuroBasket 2017 was highly essential as it paved the way for more opportunities towards his career.
The Denver Nuggets selected Vlatko Čančar as the 49th overall pick in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft. Though he was a promising draft pick, early injuries pushed his debut back until finally debuted in the 2019-20 season.
Vlatko Čančar Championship Rings
Vlatko has won one Championship ring, a recent one with the Denver Nuggets. It was during the remarkable 2022-23 season when everything came together for Vlatko Čančar. The Denver Nuggets had assembled a formidable line-up led by superstars Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray but also heavily relied on bench players to contribute consistently throughout each series.
A versatile Small forward standing six feet eight inches tall, Vlatko proved himself as not just another role player but someone who could provide much-needed depth to the Nuggets' offensive plan. Vlatko’s ability to penetrate defenses with impeccable shooting complimented his nimble nature on the court. This and other notable aspects made him a valuable asset in the Nuggets' offensive plans.
While Čančar averaged only about two minutes of playtime during this year’s playoffs, his regular season contributions played a role in the Nuggets reaching the postseason contention.
Despite the overall average nature of his game, Vlatko at times plays to his top potential. In one particular game during the regular season against Miami, Čančar stepped up and scored 12 rebounds, one steal, one block, and 15 points, contributing an essential win in an away game against an average Heat team at the time.
Beyond his contributions on offense, Vlatko Čančar also demonstrated commendable defensive skills while defending the rim and guarding other forwards and guards at the perimeter. His 22 steals and 14 blocks during the regular season were his career-best defensive stats. In games where Vlatko either scored one or more steals/blocks, the Nuggets carried a higher chance of winning those games.
Ultimately, Vlatko Čančar's efforts culminated in a well-deserved NBA Championship for himself and the Denver Nuggets. By embracing his role as a crucial supporting player within a star-studded lineup, he showcased the necessary potential and growth as a professional athlete.
FAQs
A. Vlatko stands 6 feet 8 inches tall.
A. Vlatko weighs about 236 lbs (107 kg).
A. In 2017 at the 40th edition of the EuroBasket Championship. Slovenia emerged as the champions, winning their first title.
A. No. Vlatko suffered an ACL injury which ruled him out of team Slovenia's final 12 for the upcoming World Cup.
