Oct. 23, 2014
ORLANDO -- The Orlando Magic have signed center Nikola Vučević to a contract extension, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deals are not disclosed.
“Today is an exciting day for Nik (Vučević) and his family, as well as our entire organization,” said Hennigan. “Since arriving in Orlando, Nik has demonstrated consistent work habits and a constant hunger to improve. He’s a high character, team-first player. We are proud of his development and are looking forward to continuing to grow together.”
Vučević (7’0”, 260, 10/24/90) appeared and started in 57 games last season with Orlando, averaging 14.2 ppg., a team-high 11.0 rpg., 1.8 apg. and 1.05 stlpg. in 31.8 minpg., while shooting a team-best .507 (353-696) from the floor. He ranked 25th in the NBA in field goal percentage. Vučević was named the NBA’s Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the period ending March 30, 2014. He recorded a team-high 36 double-doubles, including two 20-point/20-rebound efforts. Vučević scored in double figures 46 times and had 20+ points in 11 games, including a career-high-tying 30 points on Nov. 6 vs. L.A. Clippers.
Originally selected in the first round (16th overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft by Philadelphia, Vučević was acquired by Orlando as part of a four-team, 12-player trade on Aug. 10, 2012. He has appeared in 185 career NBA regular season games with Philadelphia and Orlando, averaging 11.4 ppg., 9.7 rpg. and 1.5 apg. in 28.0 minpg., while shooting .504 (945-1,876) from the field. Vučević finished fourth in voting for the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award in 2012-13. On Dec. 31 vs. Miami, he broke the franchise record for most rebounds in a single game, pulling down 29 boards and breaking the mark previously held by Shaquille O’Neal (28, Nov. 20, 1993 @ New Jersey).