Former Sacramento Kings Center Vlade Divac Named National Serbian Adviser

Serbia and Montenegro native Vlade Divac was just named an adviser on foreign policy, the diaspora, and sport and humanitarian issues by the Serbian government. Divac is an NBA veteran of 16 years, but he’s also served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

According to Divac’s official website, he is and has been committed to enabling and helping refugees and internally displaced persons still living in refugee camps to realize their rights to housing, work, and material security, and thus regain and empower their own self-confidence and personal dignity.

Divac’s major program, the Humanitarian Organization Divac (HOD) was established with the mission to provide financial, material, and other resources necessary to fulfill physical, mental, social, and other needs of refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and uncared-for persons, regardless of nationality, race, religion, politics or any other background or orientation.

Divac played for the Los Angeles Lakers, the Charlotte Hornets, and the Sacramento Kings. After his career in the NBA, he moved back to Serbia.

Drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1989, oddly enough, Divac is most well known for his dazzling and creative play against Shaquille O’Neal—in numerous playoff matchups—while playing center for the Sacramento Kings from 1998 to 2004.

Although O’Neal had far superior size and power, Divac gave the Diesel fits on a few occasions with his ability to draw fouls, flop, pass, and hit outside jumpers. Divac was the heart and soul of the Kings high-post Princeton-style offense.

In terms of character, he was also the leader of the Kings, and the “father” in the “father, son, and holly turk” trio (Peja Stojakovic was the “son” and Hedo Turkoglu was the “holy turk”). Divac was usually all smiles and he had a great sense of humor.   

Divac reportedly accepted the position to help promote humanitarian work in Serbia. He says he is not interested in politics and money.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?