FanPost

The Return of the Darko


Due to the overwhelmingly positive response to my recent article on Pek, I thought CHers might be interested in the latest news on former Timberwolf, Darko Milicic.

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Believe it or not, Darko has decided to return to Professional basketball apparently signing to play with Metalac Valjevo of the Serbian and Adriatic Basketball League.

So far, nothing concrete has been signed and there is only a verbal agreement. Probably best to take the news with a healthy dose of scepticism since Darko's return to Serbia, he has been linked with the big two, (Partizan and Red Star) and nothing came of those.

If you're interested you can read more details below from some of the online Serbian media which I have translated.

Bombastic Return! Milicic from next season in Metalac - Article from '24 Hours' Serbian Online Media (19 May 2015)

From the NBA and a Championship ring, to early retirement and a short foray into fighting waters, to a return to the court - Darko Milicic (29) will once again play basketball and it will be for Metalac.

Like a bomb exploding, that was the reception to the news that one time supertalented centre, and 2nd pick of the 2005 NBA draft will be returning to play beneath the hoops.

It has been confirmed by Bosko Djukanovic, the alpha and omega of the club from Valjevo that Milicic will wear the Metalac uniform next season, because he doesn't have the right to do so this season.

"We came to an agreement easily and simply, without anything definite. He recognised a good Serbian basketball story. Darko is an honest and sincere man. He has begun intensive training. He could still change his mind, but he's grasped that basketball is his life after a few years of retirement and confusion. He saw himself in Metalac which works the most honestly and honorably in our basketball, without agents. I have also achieved a great desire personally, his morality and patriotism has excited me, and his big heart told him what he had to do. Milicic needs basketball much more than it needs him" explained Dr Djukanovic

The respected cardiologist also uncovered his big plans for Valjevo next season:

"I would like to also bring Sasa Pavlovic, and with him and Darko to reach the top of the ABA League. I have wanted Pavlovic for years, however I should not involve myself in his emotions regarding Partizan. If he recgnises that Metalac is right, I think he could contribute much more. He is a great man and one of the best players of all time and I will respect all his decisions" said the top man of Metalac"


Darko Milicic: "I'm Coming Back! I've Missed Basketball" Article from sportske.net 19 May 2015Darko Milicic

Former Basketball Player of a multitude of NBA clubs, Darko Milicic, confirmed last night that he has reached an agreement with the head of Metalac of Valjevo, and that bnext season he would try to help the club achieve its goals.

The Serbian sporting public, on Tuesday, received the news like a thunderbolt that Darko Milicic is returning to basketball!

The former No.2 NBA Draft Pick has decided to return to the court after a 2 year hiatus and a short foray in the kickboxing ring.

"I have missed basketball. I've decided to help Serbian basketball thanks to Dr Bosko Djukanovic, a man who fights for it voluntarily," said Milicic.

The Novi Sad native, visited the head man of Metalac at the cardiovascular clinic in Dedinje on Tuesday where the discussion also fell on Milici wearing the uniform of the Serbian Superleague team from Valjevo next season.


"I am here so we can all lift everything to a higher level. Djukanovic has big ambitions tied to Metalac and the city of Valjevo and I am ready to participate in realising those." Milicic added
The former national team player withdrew from the basketball court in 2012 and the last team he played for was the Boston Celtics

President of Metalac for '24 Hours' - "We are a small club for Milicic but there will be no preferential treatment" Article from '24 Hours' Serbian Online Media (20 May 2015)

The news on Tuesday that our former national team player, Darko Milicic is returning to basketball has echoed around the basketball world like a detonation.

It is certain that, next season, he will play for Metalac, although for now he still hasn't signed a contract, he has reached an agreement with the head man of the Valjevo club, Dr Bosko Djukanovic.

"The reactions have been strongly positive in the whole of the basketball public. The most important thing is that Darko is returning to basketball, its not important where. He is a young man, he can still play for 6 or 7 years at a high level. Physically, he is already well prepared, although basketball-wise I don't know. Still, next season is far away and there is enough time for him to get ready. It all depends on him - what and how much he wants from basketball" said Djukanovic.

The successful cardiologist stated that Milicic will have to accept all regulations and rules of the club if he wished to play for the team in Valjevo.

This season, Metalac has exceeded all expectations and achieved sixth place in the regional competition (Adriatic Basketball League) and next season, Djukanovic expects even better results:

"Metalac is a small club for a big name like him, but he will have to respect all the regulations like all the other players. The moment when he puts on our uniform he will become just one of several players and only under those conditions can we accept him. I think he is still a big professional and understands that won't be any problem. BUt it's not important if a player is called Milicic, Bryant, or Jordan, a member of Metalac can only be a player who is part of the team and respects the club and the coach." Djukanovic clearly stated.

"We will be aserious candidate for the top of the Adriatic League next year. We will kepp our young players in the team and strengthen a bit more. However, I don't need any foreign players, I won't be bringing any to the team in my life, our players are enough. Now, Red Star and Partizan are a little stronger than us, but the next years we will be stronger than them," the arrival of Milicic bringing a dose of optimism to Djukanovic.

MIicic, the 29 year old native of Novi Sad began his basketball career in Hemofarm in 2001, where 2 seasons later he left for the USA. Fist club for Milicic there was the Detroit Pistons, with whom in 2004 he won the NBA Championships. Following that he defended the colours of Orlando, Memphis, New York, Minnesota and Boston. IN 9 years in the NBA he accumulated 2,813 pts, 1,971 rebs and 613 blocks and during that period represented the Serbian national team.

He finished his basketball career in 2012 after which he participated in fishing and kickboxing.

He entered the fishing world championships in 2013 at the Italian lake Bolsen as the captain of a two-man team with Darko Marin.

Last year Milicic entered the ring and on his debut and only match in December was beaten by Radovan Radojcin.

Now, following time in the boat and in the ring, will once again return to the court, with the hope that he can restore his basketball career.