Jusuf Nurkic is a Bosnian professional basketball player who plays in the National Basketball Association. He currently plays for the Phoenix Suns. He has also played for the Portland Trail Blazers and the Denver Nuggets.
In 2015, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. While he was still in the Croatian League, he was named the Croatian League Finals MVP in 2014.
Player Profile and Personal Life
Jusuf Nurkić was born on August 23, 1994, in Živinice, Bosnia, and Herzegovina. He stands 211 cm tall and his weight was last listed at 132 kg. He is a Center, and he shoots right.
| Team |
Phoenix Suns
|
| Position | Center |
| Height / weight | 2.13 m / 131 kg |
| Born | 23 Aug 1994 |
| Nationality |
Bosnia and Herzegovina
|
| Playing Style | Right Handed |
| Nickname | The Bosnian Beast |
| Team History | |
|
Phoenix
|
2023 - present |
Portland
|
2017 - 2023 |
Denver
|
2014 - 2017 |
| Cedevita Zagreb | 2012 - 2014 |
| Zadar | 2013 |
His father is a police officer in his country and is reportedly 213 cm tall and weighs 181 kg. His younger brother is also reported to be tall and is said to have worn size 16 shoes even when he was just 13 years old.
Early Career
He started his professional career in 2012, playing for Cedevita a junior club in the Croatian HT Premijer Liga. At around the same time in 2013, he was also loaned to Zadar.
In 2014, he was named the Croatian League Finals MVP.
Professional Career
Nurkić joined the NBA in 2014. He was drafted during the 1st round, 16th overall of the 2014 NBA Draft, selected by the Chicago Bulls. The team traded him to the Denver Nuggets. He played for the Nuggets from 2014 to 2017.
In 2015, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team. In 2017, the Nuggets traded him to the Portland Trail Blazers, and played with the team through to 2023.
In 2023, he signed with the Phoenix Suns. As of 2024, he still plays for the Suns.
Career Highlights
- 2015 - NBA All-Rookie Second Team
- 2014 - Croatian League Finals MVP
- 2014 - All-Croatian League Second Team
