Immigrant of the Day: Vladimir Radmanović (Serbia)

  Vladimir Radmanović (born November 19, 1980 in Trebinje, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia) is a professional basketball player for the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers and willl be playing in the NBA finals this year against the Boston Celtics. He previously played with the Los Angeles Clippers and Seattle SuperSonics.

Radmanović was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics as the 12th pick of 2001 NBA Draft. Radmanović became a candidate for the NBA Most Improved Player Award in the 2003-04 season, when he averaged 12 points and 5.3 rebounds per game mostly as a sixth man. He established himself as a deadly three-point shooter, making around 40% of his attempts. He was integral to the Sonics’ success in the 2004-05 season as a sixth man. He averaged 11.8 points per game and 4.6 rebounds, helping the Sonics win their first-round playoff matchup against the Sacramento Kings. On January 26, 2005, he made a career-high 8 three-point field goals against the Los Angeles Lakers.’

On February 14 2006, Radmanović was traded from the SuperSonics to the Los Angeles Clippers. The change of venue greatly improved his performance. Radmanović averaged 10.7 ppg, a career-best averages of 5.7 rpg and 2.1 apg, while shooting 41.8% of his three-pointers.

On July 1 2006, he agreed to terms with Los Angeles Lakers. Radmanović was persuaded to join the team by Kobe Bryant, Phil Jackson, Magic Johnson and his good friend, Vlade Divac, who were all convinced his shooting and playing opportunities would greatly increase in the Lakers’ triangle offense.

In the offseason of 2002, Radmanović for the first time got the honour of representing his country on big stage at the World Championships in Indianapolis. Radmanović was on national team duty for Serbia-Montenegro in Eurobasket 2005.

For his NBA stat’s, click here.

KJ