Darko Milicic Net Worth 2026: NBA Career & Income

Early Life and Background

Darko Milicic entered the world on June 20, 1985, in Novi Sad, which at the time was part of the Socialist Republic of Serbia within Yugoslavia. Raised by his parents Zora and Milorad Milicic, he grew up alongside his sister Tijana, who would go on to become a volleyball player. From an early age, Darko showed promise on the basketball court, playing for local clubs BFC Beočin and Sports World before joining the junior program of Hemofarm at just 14 years old. His talent was evident early, setting the stage for what would become a noteworthy professional career.

Career and Breakthrough

The basketball world took notice of Milicic when the Detroit Pistons selected him with the second overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. Though his rookie season saw limited minutes on the court, fate intervened when the Pistons captured the 2004 NBA Championship by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers. At just under 19 years old, Milicic became the youngest player in league history to appear in and win the NBA Finals. a record that still stands today. Despite this historic achievement and promises from Pistons president Joe Dumars about a significant role in the team's future, playing time remained scarce, with Milicic averaging only 5.6 minutes per game. After being traded to the Orlando Magic in early 2006, he helped the team reach the 2006-07 playoffs before moving on. The Memphis Grizzlies signed him in summer 2007, initially starting him at power forward before benching him due to inconsistent performance. Though he regained his starting spot in December 2008, a hand injury hampered his progress. Milicic's stint with the New York Knicks in 2009 was brief, and he openly contemplated returning to Europe. His best statistical season came with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2010-11, posting 8.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and two blocks per game while notching a career-high 25 points and 11 rebounds against Golden State. He finished his NBA journey with the Boston Celtics in 2012 before retiring in June 2013. Beyond basketball, Milicic briefly pursued professional kickboxing under WAKO rules, making his debut in his hometown of Novi Sad. He also represented Yugoslavia's U16 national team in winning the 2001 European Cadet Championships and led Serbia and Montenegro at the 2006 FIBA World Championship.

Personal Life

In 2009, Milicic married Zorana Markuš, a fashion designer. Together, the couple has welcomed two sons and a daughter. After retiring from professional basketball, Milicic returned to his roots in Serbia, where he has invested in agriculture. He now owns and operates an apple orchard spanning approximately 125 acres. In 2019, he made a return to basketball by joining the amateur club I Came to Play in Novi Sad. His personal beliefs have drawn attention due to his support for the far-right Ravna Gora movement in Serbia, and in 2013, he publicly advocated for convicted war criminal Vojislav Šešelj.

Net Worth and Income Sources

Darko Milicic has accumulated an estimated net worth of $20 million through his basketball career and subsequent ventures. During his nine NBA seasons spanning 2003 to 2012, he earned approximately $52 million in total salary, with his highest-earning year being 2009-2010 when he made $7.5 million with the Minnesota Grizzlies. Beyond basketball, his farming operation in Serbia contributes to his income, while his brief foray into professional kickboxing represented another revenue stream during his post-basketball transition.