Stojaković was moved in his speech on entering the Hall of Fame: “With the civil war, we left everything behind”

THE Peja Stojakovic was introduced to FIBA Hall of Fame and in the speech he gave he was moved by referring to the way out that basketball offered him after the civil war in the former Yugoslavia. His veteran ace PAOK he also had a long career in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings and at the end of his journey he won a championship with the Dallas Mavericks (2011).

“It’s a really special night for me. Thank you FIBA, this recognition is a great honor for me. Over the past few days, I’ve been thinking about what I’ve been through in my career. I tried to analyze this journey of mine, through a few words. I want to share with you some moments of my career that are particularly important to me. I started playing basketball in Yugoslavia at the age of 13. After the civil war, my family and I were forced to leave everything behind and start a new life in Belgrade. In a phone call from the coach of Red Star, Predrag Banjarevic, he told me that I have heard about you and I want to give you a chance. From that moment on, basketball became my new home and my escape. And even now I wonder: did I find basketball, or did it find me during my life? Even today I’m not sure. I traveled the world, worked with great coaches, played with incredible players and I want to thank them all. We pushed each other to do our best and became a family. Every country I’ve been to, every team I’ve played for, they hold a special place in my heart in their own way. If I had to say anything to the new kids, I would say that wherever you are, don’t be discouraged. If you love basketball, work hard because at some point someone will definitely be watching youStojakovic said.