LIsa Boothe
Former NBA player Toni Kuko, who is Croatian-American, works as Special Advisor to Jerry Reinsdorf, the Chicago Bulls’ owner. He was one of the first established European talents to play in the National Basketball Association following a tremendously successful spell in European basketball.
Toni Kukoč | Early Life and Family
A Croatian-American former professional basketball player, Toni Kukoč was born on September 18, 1968, in Split, Croatia.
His parents are Radojka Kuko and Ante Kuko. Rajojka, his mother, was a secretary.
Kuko spent his formative years in Split, Croatia. As a goalkeeper for a small team with a lower standing, his father was an avid athlete.
Toni, a young man with great motor abilities, grew up playing a variety of sports, such as table tennis and football.
As a teenager, he particularly excelled at table tennis and won numerous young category championships. Basketball soon became his new sport of preference for him.
Toni Kukoč | Age And Body Measurement
A Croatian-American former professional basketball player, Toni Kukoč is currently 54 years old. Additionally, Toni’s horoscope is Virgo’s.
Moreover, Toni measures 6 feet 10 inches in height and 87 kilograms in weight.
Toni Kukoč | Wife And Kids
Renata Kuko is wed to Toni Kuko. After moving to Chicago in 1993, the couple purchased their Highland Park residence.
A girl named Stela Kuko and a son named Marin Kuko were born into the marriage.
Marin Kuko played for the Highland Park High School varsity basketball team. Following his acceptance to the University of Pennsylvania, he maintained his basketball career.
Stela Kuko, Toni’s daughter, competes in collegiate volleyball at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
Toni Kukoč | Career
Early Career
For the first 13–14 years of his life, Toni had never played basketball. When he was approximately 14 years old, he went to the beach one day with his pals and a basketball coach saw him.
When the coach noticed his lengthy legs, he inquired about Toni’s interest. Toni was adaptable and could easily fit into any sport. So he consented to coordinate.
He first made basketball his home by competing in the NBA and later by serving as an advisor to a top-tier NBA team.
The city team then welcomed Toni. They had to put in a lot of practice before they were allowed to play.
Toni likes the atmosphere at basketball games. At the age of 15, he stopped attending school and began attending morning, evening, and afternoon practices.
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The school subsequently informed Toni’s mother that he was being expelled since he had missed 200 days of class. His mother was astounded by him and furious with him.
After that, she informed the team that Toni was just one injury away from never playing again. A contract with the school has to be made by the club.
To his advantage, his school’s deans were cousins as well as the general manager of his squad.
Toni agreed to study, take examinations at the end of the year, and practice in addition to those commitments.
When the passing grade in Chemistry was 50, Toni could only receive a score of 48. Toni would have to take the course again in the summer, according to the teacher.
Professional Career
At the age of 17, he began playing basketball at the KK Jugoplastika club in his hometown. He was among the best players the club has ever had, and he was very successful.
With Toni on their side, the squad won the renowned EuroLeague for three straight seasons (1989–1991).
Moreover, they won the Triple Crown in 1990 and 1991. Additionally, Toni was twice selected as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the EuroLeague Final Four.
Then he changed from Benetton Treviso to KK Jugoplastika. In 1992, he took the stage as the Italian League champion. He also triumphed in the 1993 Italian Cup.
Toni took part in the 1993 EuroLeague championship game as well. He also took home the MVP award at the EuroLeague Final Four.
Toni went by many monikers, including the Waiter, the Pink Panther, the Spider from Split, and the White Magic.
Throughout the 1990s, he garnered multiple European Basketball Player of the Year Awards.
Chicago Bulls
Toni was selected by the Chicago Bulls as the 29th overall pick in Round 2 of the 1990 NBA Draft.
He did, however, maintain his games in Europe for close to three years. Finally, in 1993, he reported to the Chicago Bulls.
By the time Michael Jordan retired, the team had recently completed its first three-peat. Toni felt incredibly let down that he couldn’t play with Jordan.
Then, on November 5, 1993, he participated in his first NBA game.
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Moreover, He started in place of small forward Scottie Pippen and power forward Horace Grant during the 1993–1994 seasons. He could, however, also play the center position and shooting guard.
Additionally, He scored and averaged double figures in his rookie season, earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
After that, Toni finished the 1994–1995 seasons in the starting lineup. In terms of points scored, rebounds, and assists, he finished second to the Chicago Bulls. He was in Scottie Pippen’s shadow.
For the 1995–1996 seasons, Michael Jordan joined the Chicago Bulls once more. Hearing the news made Toni very happy. This desire to play with Jordan would be realized.
Jordan’s return to form and the summer addition of great rebounder Dennis Rodman inspired and energized the entire Chicago Bulls team.
Furthermore
At small forward, Scottie Pippen was still playing. In the same vein, coach Phil Jackson decided to keep Tony on the bench.
During the 1995–1996 seasons, Tony finished third on the club in scoring. He was behind Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan.
His performances were recognized with the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award.
After that, Toni helped the Chicago Bulls achieve a 25-game turnaround. At the time, they had the league’s best record (72-10). Later, the 2015–16 Golden State Warriors overtook it.
The Chicago Bulls also captured their fourth championship.
Toni was the fourth player to win the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award and the NBA championship in the same year, and he is now the last.
That feat had previously been accomplished by Bobby Jones, Bill Walton, and McHale.
In 1997 and 1998, when the Chicago Bulls won their fifth and sixth NBA championships, Toni once more served as the sixth player off the bench. He rose to the third-highest scorer in the group.
Retirement
Early in 1999, Scottie Pippen was dealt to the Houston Rockets. The Chicago Bulls dynasty was effectively destroyed by the deal.
Kuko was one of the few remaining Chicago Bulls players from their championship squad.
During the lockout-shortened 1998–1999 seasons, he ranked first for the team in scoring, rebounds, and assists.
Later, as the Chicago Bulls resumed their rebuilding strategy in the 1999–2000 season, Kuko was moved to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Golden State Warriors were involved in a three-team agreement. The Warriors traded Bruce Bowen, John Starks, and the first overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft to the Chicago Bulls.
The Atlanta Hawks traded Kukoc the next year. Along with him, he also dealt with Theo Ratliff, Pepe Sanchez, and Nazr Mohammed.
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They sent Dikembe Mutombo and Roshown McLeod to the 76ers in a historic trade.
After a brief stint with the Atlanta Hawks, Kuko was once more moved to the Milwaukee Bucks. He participated in a deal to acquire Glenn Robinson alongside Leon Smith.
Kuko might have found the repeated swapping and transitions annoying.
If neither the Milwaukee Bucks nor the Chicago Bulls signed him for the 2006–07 NBA season, he declared that he would retire from the game.
It was announced on September 12, 2006. Tony Kukoc received interest from numerous NBA organizations, but he preferred to relocate constantly.
He then resided in a neighborhood adjacent to his home in Highland Park, Illinois.
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Toni Kukoč | Net Worth
Kuko has amassed a sizable fortune through his basketball career. He continues to earn a decent living from his position as the Chicago Bulls’ advisor.
He found that moving to the United States from Croatia was a really successful transfer.
Kukoc is thought to be worth around $30 million.
As a result, Kuko and his family have a good life.
Social Media Presence
Frequently Asked Questions
For which team did Toni Kuko play?
For the longest time, Kuko was a member of the Chicago Bulls, whom he considers to be family.
In Europe, he played for the Benetton Treviso from 1991 to 1993 and the Jugoplastika club from 1985 to 1991.
He made his NBA debut with the Chicago Bulls on November 5, 1993, and remained with them until 2000.
Then, from 2000 to 2001, he was a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, from 2001 to 2002, the Atlanta Hawks, and from 2002 to 2006, the Milwaukee Bucks.
Quick Facts
| Full name | Toni Kukoč ([kukotʃ] |
| Nicknames | The White Magic, the Spider from Split, the Pink Panther, the Waiter, and the Croatian Sensation. |
| Birthdate | September 18, 1968 |
| Birthplace | Split, Croatia |
| Religion | Not Known |
| Nationality | Croatian / American |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Father’s name | Ante Kukoč |
| Mother’s name | Radojka Kukoč |
| Siblings | Not Known |
| Age | 54 Years Old |
| Height | 6 feet 10 inches (208 cm) |
| Listed Weight | 192 lbs. (87 kg) |
| Eye color | Dark Brown |
| Hair color | Brown |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Renata Kukoč |
| Children | A son and a daughter |
| Children’s Name | Marin Kukoč Stela Kukoč |
| Current Profession | Special advisor to Chicago Bulls’ owner |
| Former Profession | Basketball Player |
| Affiliation | European Basketball LeagueNational Basketball Association (NBA) |
| NBA draft | 1990 / Round: 2 / Pick: 29th overall |
| Drafted by | Chicago Bulls |
| Other NBA Teams | Philadelphia 76ersAtlanta Hawks
Milwaukee Bucks |
| NBA debut | November 5, 1993 (With the Chicago Bulls) |
| Teams Outside NBA | KK Jugoplastika (Croatian League)Benetton Treviso (Italian youth basketball club) |
| Filmography | Once Brothers in 2010250 Steps in 2017
The Last Dance in 2020 |
| Awards and Honors | FIBA EuroBasket MVP in 1991FIBA’s 50 Greatest Players: (1991)
Franjo Bučar State Award for Sport in 1992 NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 1994 NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 1996 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors in 2008, etc.
|
| Hall of Fame | FIBA Hall of Fame in 2017 |
| Net worth | Around $30 million |
| Social Media Handles | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter |
| Merch | Jersey, NFL Basketball Cards |
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