European players, especially the ones from the Balkans, have always been a unique sight in the NBA. Even before the likes of Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Ivica Zubac started dominating in the NBA, there were great players from that area, and with their unique off-court personalities.
One of them was Peja Stojakovic, a sharpshooting small forward in the 2000s. The Serbian played some of his best years on the Sacramento Kings, being a vital part of a few playoff runs and even making the All-Star team three consecutive years from 2002 to 2004.
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However, despite being one of the best shooters in the NBA and a perennial All-Star, Stojakovic knew how to unwind and have fun. In a hilarious 2002 interview with a Serbian reporter, Peja admitted he missed a game that night because he had drunk too much the night before with none other than the guy interviewing him.
“What is funny? Why are you laughing? Weren’t we drinking together last night, like you don’t know why I wasn’t playing tonight? I was drunk like a mother (Balkan expression for getting wasted). I’m just joking; it’s a matter of a minor injury,” Stojakovic said while barely controlling his laughter and joking with the reporter, who could scarcely conduct the interview professionally.
Not your usual interview
The reporter also interviewed his teammate and fellow Serbian, Vlade Divac, about their country’s getting to host the 2005 EuroBasket and Hedo Turkoglu about his Balkan roots and speaking their language. Still, the short bit with Peja stole the show.
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The interviewer seemed to try to get a classic response from the 6’10″small forward, but Stojakovic couldn’t help but joke around and reveal the truth behind his absence. He got wasted and needed the day off. However, considering how good the King and Peja were back then, it seems Rick Adelman and the team had no trouble with that.
A player ahead of his time
Picked 14th in the 1996 NBA Draft, Stojakovic joined Sacramento in the 1998-1999 season and immediately proved he was a ready product. Ultimately, Stojakovic would spend eight seasons with the Kings and average 18.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 38.9% from deep.
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In a team headlined by him, Divac, Turkoglu, along with American stars like Chris Webber, Mike Bibby and Doug Christie, Sac-Town would play a beautiful brand of basketball. Adelman constructed a system that seemed more international, but unfortunately, it would fall short of the title on several occasions.
Stojakovic would go on to play for the New Orleans Hornets, Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers, and Dallas Mavericks. While he never achieved the same type of individual success he had in Sacramento, Peja would crown his career with a championship in 2011. Being a small part of the Mavs rotation, the Serbian still contributed to their big upset of the “Big 3” Miami Heat, fronted by a disappointing LeBron James.
We can only imagine how drunk Stojakovic got celebrating a title that night, if he could go hard even during the regular season. Hey, when you are winning and producing, you can afford to let loose a bit more.
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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 9, 2025, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.