How a buzzer-beater in Paris launched a journey to the NBA
In short: In May 2010, a young Bogdan Bogdanović hit a crucial buzzer-beater to help FMP juniors reach a tournament final. That moment was a precursor to a career defined by high-stakes precision, leading him from the Serbian leagues to the NBA and a EuroLeague championship.
Bogdan Bogdanović's ascent began in Belgrade, where he played for clubs like ŠKK Zvezdara and Žitko Basket. A defining moment occurred in May 2010 during the Nike International Junior Tournament in Paris. Playing for FMP, Bogdanović scored a decisive, off-balance buzzer-beater to secure a 79–78 victory over Málaga, propelling his team to the final against INSEP. Despite this early success, an injury during the final match forced him to leave the contest prematurely. This setback did not hinder his rapid rise through the Serbian professional ranks.
His professional trajectory took a dramatic turn in 2014. After winning the ABA League Finals MVP with Partizan Belgrade, he transferred to the Turkish club Fenerbahçe. This move was marked by tension, as Partizan's coach, Duško Vujošević, publicly criticized the player for allegedly breaking a verbal agreement to remain with the club for three seasons. During his tenure with Partizan, he achieved significant success by winning the Serbian League title. His impressive performance in the finals earned him the league's Finals MVP award.
At Fenerbahçe, Bogdanović became a dominant force, winning the EuroLeague championship in 2017 and earning multiple MVP honors, including EuroLeague Player of the Month. His success in Europe paved the way for his NBA career. Originally selected 27th overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2014 NBA draft, his rights were later traded to the Sacramento Kings in 2016. He achieved this continental triumph by defeating Olympiacos in the championship game. Additionally, he secured the Turkish Super League Finals MVP award during the same period.
Since joining the Kings in 2017, Bogdanović has established himself as a reliable scorer and playmaker. His journey from a promising junior in Paris to an NBA professional and Serbian national team star highlights the intense competitive ladder of international basketball. He has also been recognised as a member of the EuroLeague 2010–20 All-Decade Team. His versatility is further evidenced by his selection to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Bogdan Bogdanović (basketball)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-bogdan-bogdanovi-basketball.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
