Nikola Kuga (Serbian Cyrillic: Николa Kуга; born October 13, 1986 ) is a Serbian professional basketball player.[1] Standing at 2.00 m (6  ft 7 in), he plays the small forward position.

Nikola Kuga
Kuga with Dimond Valley in Melbourne.
Personal information
Born (1986-10-13) October 13, 1986 (age 37)
Bihać, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia
NationalitySerbian / Croatian
Listed height2.00 m (6 ft 7 in)
Listed weight94 kg (207 lb)
Career information
NBA draft2008: undrafted
Playing career2005–2019
PositionSmall forward / shooting guard
Career history
2005–2007FMP Železnik
2007–2008KK Srem
2008Sport Plazza Casablanca
2008–2009Hopsi Pozella
2010Skallagrímur
2011R.L.C Maldeves
2011–2012Norte de Santander
2012Al Sarjah
2013–2014BBG Herford
2014Laskar DREYA South Sumatra
2014–2015Talina Kalev
2015Umea
2015–2016Dimond Valley
2016Al Moutahed
2016–2017BC Alfenense
2017–2018Al Moutahed
2018–2019Ammerud Basket
2019Rot-Weiss Cuxhaven

Professional career edit

Nikola grew up in the famous basketball school of FMP Belgrade, he played for youth teams of FMP from 2005 to 2007. In the 2007–08 season, he played for KK Srem.

In Sempteber 2008, Kuga signed a one-year deal with Sport Plazza Casablanca (Morocco).[2] In 2009–10 season, he played for Hopsi Pozela. From 2010 to 2015, he has played for several European basketball teams including U.M.F. Skallagrímur (Iceland), Tallina Kalev (Estonia), Umea (Sweden),[3][4] BBG Herford (Germany).

Outside Europe, he has suited up for a number of the teams such as Al Moutahed (Lebanon), Al Sarjah (UAE),[5] R.L.C (Maldeves).[6][7]

Inn 2010, Kuga signed with Skallagrímur in the Icelandic 1. deild karla. In four games, he averaged 12.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game before leaving the club in November 2010.[8]

In 2011, Kuga signed with Cucuta Norte, a professional basketball club based in Cucuta, Colombia. He became the first Serbian and first player from Eastern Europe to play in the Colombian league (LNB – Colombia). Over 24 league games Kuga averaged 15.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.

In August 2014, Laskar Dreya South Sumatra team announced that Kuga will play for Laskar Dreaya in ASEAN Basketball League.[5] He has become first European player who got chance to Play ABL. On April 1, 2015, he signed for Diamond Valley Eagles and Australia become his 5th continent where he played.[5]

In January 2016, Kuga signed a contract with Lebanese team Al Moutahed for the rest of the following season.

During 2016-2017, Kuga played for Portuguese team BC Alfenense. Currently Kuga is member of Norvegian basketball team Ammerud Basket

References edit

  1. ^ "Nikola Kuga: Australija je zemlja najlepša za život, ali u Libanu ljudi žive za košarku". mozzartsport.com. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  2. ^ "Avantura u Maroku". kosarka24. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  3. ^ "Kuga: "Är här för att hjälpa"". vk.se. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  4. ^ "Umeå BSKT förstärker". vk.se. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  5. ^ a b c "Nikola Kuga becomes first European who played basketball in 5 different continents". eurobasket.com. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  6. ^ "Čohadarević na Kipru, Kuga na Maldivima". kosarka24. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  7. ^ "Košarka na Maldivima, fudbal u Indoneziji i Vanuatuu". b92.net. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  8. ^ "1. deild karla (2011 Tímabil) - Nikola Kuga". kki.is (in Icelandic). Icelandic Basketball Federation. Retrieved 20 January 2019.

External links edit