Boban Savović

Slobodan "Boban" Savović (born November 27, 1979) is a Montenegrin former professional basketball player.

Boban Savović
Personal information
Born (1979-11-27) November 27, 1979
Šibenik, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia
NationalityMontenegrin
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High schoolEast Side (Newark, New Jersey)
CollegeOhio State (1998–2002)
NBA draft2002: undrafted
Playing career2002–2006
PositionShooting guard
Career history
As player:
2002Partizan
2002–2004Roanne
2004–2006JL Bourg-en-Bresse
As coach:
2011–2012Primorje
2012–2013Teodo Tivat
2014KB Peja
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  FR Yugoslavia
U18 European Championship
Bronze medal – third place1996 FranceU18 National Team

Early career

Raised in Serbia and Montenegro,[1] Savović came to the United States in 1994 and played at East Side High School in Newark, New Jersey.[2] In 1996, Savović represented Serbia and Montenegro in the FIBA European Championship for Junior Men.[3] After a standout career there, he was signed by Ohio State. During his freshman year, he was one of the top contributors off the bench in the Buckeyes' run to the 1999 Final Four. He missed most of the 1999–2000 season due to ankle and leg injuries, but was a starter the next two years. A deadly three-point shooter, he left Ohio State fifth all-time in career three-pointers with 125.

Scandal at Ohio State

Two years after Savović left Ohio State, he played a role in a scandal that ended the career of Buckeyes coach Jim O'Brien. In June 2004, Kathleen Salyers, a nanny from the Columbus suburb of Gahanna, sued Ohio State boosters Dan and Kim Roslovic. Salyers claimed that the Roslovics agreed to pay Salyers $1,000 per month plus expenses to care for Savović.[4] Salyers claimed the Roslovics reneged on that agreement. Savović couldn't live with the Roslovics due to their status as Ohio State boosters.[5] Salyers also alleged that O'Brien not only knew about these arrangements, but also knew Savović was receiving improper payments and that she did much of Savović's homework for three years because of his difficulties with English.[6]

O'Brien had been fired due to a separate revelation by Salyers that he'd given $6,000 to one-time recruit Aleksandar Radojević. However, the revelations about Savović led to a separate NCAA investigation. Ultimately, Ohio State was placed on three years' probation and forced to vacate every game in which Savović played (including the 1999 Final Four).

Professional career

After going undrafted in the 2002 NBA draft, he played professionally for four years in Serbia and France.

Personal life

He is the younger brother of former Denver Nuggets player Predrag Savović.[7]

References
  1. "Kosovo rings home: OSU's Savovic as concerned about bombings as basketball". CNN. Associated Press. March 25, 1999. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  2. Mandel, Stewart. "Another black eye for the Buckeyes?Lawsuit reveals more allegations against Ohio State basketball program", Sports Illustrated, June 9, 2004, last updated March 10, 2006. Accessed July 5, 2011. "Before coming to Columbus, Savović played his senior year of high school at East Side High School in Newark, N.J. According to a 1998 New York Daily News story, he lived with his 'uncle,' Spomenko (Semi) Pajovic. A 2001 Dayton Daily News report alleged that Pajović was a de facto agent who helped place numerous Serbian players at American colleges and high schools, among them Savović and his brother, Predrag, who played at UAB and Hawaii."
  3. "Slobodan Savovic | European Championship for Junior Men (1996) | FIBA Europe".
  5. toledoblade.com - Nanny sparked firestorm that engulfed OSU coach
  6. "Lawsuit contends O'Brien, assistant knew of aid to player". USA Today. June 9, 2004.
  7. Player Profile-Boban Savovic
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