For many young athletes, the ultimate childhood dream is to compete at the professional level. There are some players who have solidified themselves as GOATS for their respective sport. Ultimately setting the bar for accomplishment to the highest degree. Names like Bird, Manning, Jordan, and Stojaković. All of whom happen to be hall of famers in some capacity. Players who are crowned champions look to win another, and another so on and so forth. When chasing championships as a player comes to a halt, most often than not a family has already been started. For the Stojaković family, this ultimately would come to fruition.
Making Greatness from Greatness, this pair is dreamy
In 2004 when Predrag and spouse Aleka Kamila gave birth to their first child “ Andrej,” basketball had always been in the foreground. Predrag, better known in the NBA world as “Peja” was splashing the bottom of the net for three with the Sacramento Kings by day and reading bedtime stories by night. Predrag “Peja” Stojaković further pioneered a path to the NBA for players from Europe. In doing so he also helped give his oldest son the best chance to follow his legacy. Peja whom recently was inducted into the Greece Basketball Hall of Fame, and until 2020 the sitting Assistant GM for the Sacramento Kings, now is a full time dad enjoying what all entails in fatherhood.
Peja Stojaković and his Outstanding NBA career
Peja began his NBA career in 1996 when he was drafted in the 1st round 14th overall pick to the Sacramento Kings. Poised Peja was selected out of the Greek League club team PAOK Thessaloniki where he spent 2 seasons playing after being drafted by the Kings. Peja saw Greek League MVP awarded to him before his final departure which was accompanied by FIBA Euro League Top Scorer (1998). Peja was a 2x Greek League All-star in 96′ and 97′ and Greek Cup winner of 1995. The original Splash brother spent 13 years in the NBA. Peja played in 804 games while averaging 17.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists a game throughout his career. He was also a 3x NBA All-Star as well as All-NBA selection in 2003-2004. Perhaps his greatest feat was in 2011 winning the NBA Championship with long time rival Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks.
Business as usual for this poised father son pair
Andrej has always had big shoes to fill but through time he has shown to rise to the occasion. Andrej in comparison to his fathers early years, had a bit different of a path to stardom. Andrej may carry his fathers last name, but he is making his own legacy by being the first Stojaković to play Division 1 basketball in America. Andrej signed his letter of intent with Stanford University. As a freshman poised Andrej fit into his role as a Cardinal very well. Thus far in his college debut season, Pedraj has played in 21 games while starting 8 of them. He is averaging 22.5 minutes a contest while amassing an average 8 points a game on 3.1-7.9 field goal attempts. His 3 PT % is currently at 33.3. Only time will tell if Andrej will rise to the top where his father set the bar. Peja and Andrej are quite the pair of poised sharpshooters. Andrej has a chance to do something just as great as his father. Will we get a chance to see another Stojaković in white and purple? Truly, only time will tell.
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