Bucks Bring Back Kukoc


August 5, 2005 - The Milwaukee Bucks have re-signed free agent forward Toni Kukoc to a one-year contract, General Manager Larry Harris announced today. The 2005-06 season will be the 13th NBA campaign for the native of Split, Croatia.
"Toni continues to brings many important elements to our team, both tangible and intangible," said Harris. "He works as hard as anyone on our roster and plays unselfishly with tremendous vision. He's a great teammate and someone the fans love to watch play."

Kukoc, 36, is a 12-year NBA veteran who has played the last three seasons in Milwaukee. Since joining the Bucks in 2002, Kukoc has averaged 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 189 regular season games.

"I've always had a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for the way Toni plays the game," said Bucks Head Coach Terry Stotts. "In addition to his solid, veteran presence on the floor, Toni's knowledge and experience will be an invaluable asset to the younger players on our roster."

Kukoc owns career averages of 12.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 781 regular season games. He has appeared in 96 career playoff games and owns three NBA World Championship rings as a member of the Chicago Bulls (1995-9.

"I'm really happy to be returning to Milwaukee," said Kukoc. "I had a number of opportunities to play elsewhere, but Milwaukee has always been my first choice."

A second round draft choice (29th overall) of the Bulls in 1990, Kukoc has also played with Philadelphia and Atlanta in the NBA. Prior to his NBA career, Kukoc played professionally in the former Yugoslavia (1989-91) and Italy (1991-93), where he won three European Championships and three European Player of the Year awards.

In 1988, Kukoc was a member of the Silver Medal winning Yugoslavian Olympic Team and earned a second Silver Medal four years later as a member of the Croatian Olympic Team.