Žarko Đurišić

Žarko Đurišić (Serbian Cyrillic: Жарко Ђуришић; born March 31, 1961), also credited as Zarko Durisic, is a Montenegrin-born Slovenian basketball scout, former player, and former coach who is currently the Director of international player personnel for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA).[2]

Žarko Đurišić
Minnesota Timberwolves
PositionDirector of international player personnel
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1961-03-31) March 31, 1961
Titograd, PR Montenegro, FPR Yugoslavia
NationalityMontenegrin / Slovenian
Listed height2.08 m (6 ft 10 in)
Career information
CollegeWichita State (1980–1984)[1]
NBA draft1984: undrafted
Playing career1978–1995
PositionCenter
Number12, 15
Coaching career1996–1996
Career history
As player:
1978–1980Crvena zvezda
1984–1985Budućnost
1985–1995Smelt Olimpija
As coach:
1996Smelt Olimpija
Career highlights and awards
As player
As coach
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Yugoslavia
European Championship for Juniors
Silver medal – second place1980 YugoslaviaU18 Team
European Championship for Cadets
Silver medal – second place1977 FranceU16 Team

Playing career

Đurišić started his basketball career playing with the youth teams of Budućnost. In 1978, at age of 17, he moved to Crvena zvezda of the Yugoslav Federal League. He played two seasons there, until 1980. Over 44 regular season games, he averaged 2.5 point per game.[3]

In 1980, Đurišić moved to the United States to play college basketball at Wichita State University where his four seasons in the NCAA Division I with the Shockers were very successful. Arriving to Wichita together with compatriot Zoran Radović, Đurišić joined the squad featuring future NBA players Cliff Levingston, Antoine Carr, Xavier McDaniel and Ozell Jones as the sixth-seeded Wichita State team came within one game of making it to the Final Four, losing the Midwest regional final to first regional seed Louisiana State University.

After finishing college career he went back to the Yugoslav League where he played for Budućnost and Smelt Olimpija. With Olimpija he also played Premier A Slovenian League after 1992.

National team career

Yugoslavia national team

Đurišić was a member of the Yugoslavia national cadet team that won the silver medal at the 1977 European Championship for Cadets. Over three tournament games, he averaged 4.7 points per game.[4] He also was a member of the Yugoslavia national junior team that participated at the 1979 World Championship for Juniors[5] and also won the silver medal at the 1980 European Championship for Juniors.[6]

Slovenia national team

Đurišić was a member of the Slovenia national team that participated at the EuroBasket 1993. Over three tournament games, he averaged 4.7 points per game.[7] Slovenia took 14th place at the tournament. He played 27 games for the national team.[8]

Post-playing career

Đurišić briefly coached Smelt Olimpija during the 1995–96 season.[2] He took over the team's coaching reigns from Zmago Sagadin in January 2016, leading them to the Slovenian League title at the end of the season.

Since summer 1996, Đurišić has been affiliated with the Minnesota Timberwolves organization where he heads up the team's international scouting efforts.[2] Positions he previously held with the Wolves include director of college and international player personnel, director of player personnel, and head scout.

Personal life

Đurišić and his wife, Tatjana, have two daughters: Jelena and Aleksandra.[2] Daughter Jelena (born 1989 in Belgrade[9]) is a Slovenian former tennis player.[10]

Career achievements and awards
Player
Coach

References
  1. "Zarko Durisic Profile". sports-reference.com. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  2. "Minnesota Timberwolves Staff Directory". nba.com. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  3. "Red Star Belgrade History". kkcrvenazvezda.rs. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  4. "Zarko Djurisic's Profile, 1977". archive.fiba.com. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  5. "Zarko Djurisic's Profile, 1979". archive.fiba.com. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  6. "Zarko Djurisic's Profile, 1980". archive.fiba.com. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  7. "Zarko Durisic's Profile, 1993". archive.fiba.com. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  8. "VEČNA LESTVICA NASTOPOV NA TEKMAH MOŠKE ČLANSKE REPREZENTANCE". kzs.si. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  9. "Jelena Durisic". goheels.com. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  10. "Jelena Durisic". wtatennis.com. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
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