Sasha Danilovic
From MavsWiki
| Image:Sasha Danilovic.jpg | |
| Position: | Guard |
|---|---|
| Height: | 6'6" |
| Weight: | 200 |
| Nationality: | |
| Born: | 2/26/1970 |
| Birthplace: | Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Draft: | 16th pick, Second Round (43rd orverall) |
| Drafted By: | Golden State Warriors |
| College: | |
| NBA Career: | 1996-1997 |
| Mavs Tenure: | 1996-1997 |
Predrag "Sasha" Danilović (born February 26, 1970 in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia) was obtained by the Dallas Mavericks, along with Martin Muursepp and Kurt Thomas in a trade with the Miami Heat, in exchange for Jamal Mashburn on February 14, 1997.
Danilovic began his professional career with Partizan Belgrade of the Yugoslavian league. He helped lead his squad to a Yugoslavian Championship during his time there and, despite being drafted in the second round of the 1992 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors, he opted to hone his skills in Italy.
He played three seasons with Virtus Bologna of the Italian League where he became a fan favorite and an Italian League star. He was named 'Best Player of 1993' by FIBA Magazine and was not forgotten by the NBA. The Warriors, who still held his rights, traded the 6'6 guard, along with Billy Owens, to the Miami Heat for center Rony Seikaly.
Danilovic answered the NBA's call during the 1995-1996 season when he joined the Heat, appearing in 19 games and averaging a respectable 13.4 points per game. He began the following campaign with the Heat, appearing in 43 games and starting most of them. He was averaging 11.3 ppg when he was traded to the Mavs.
As a Maverick, he completed the 1996-1997 season in Dallas where he appeared in 13 games and averaged 16.6 ppg. Despite his higher scoring numbers and with two seasons remaining on his contract, he exercised his option for free agency on June 1, 1997 and returned to Europe.
He was part of the silver medal-winning Yugoslavian team in the 1996 Summer Olympics and again joined Virtus Bologna where he was named both the MVP of the Italian League in 1998 as well as the Mister Europa Player-of-the-Year that same year, as the best player in all of Europe.
In all, Davilovic was a member of one Yugoslavian league champion and four Italian league championship teams.
