Matjaž Smodiš

Matjaž Smodiš (born December 13, 1979) is a Slovenian former professional basketball player. Standing at a height of 2.05 m (6'8 3⁄4") tall, he played at the power forward and center positions. During his pro club playing career, he played in seven EuroLeague Finals (2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009), and he was a three-time EuroLeague champion (2001, 2006, 2008). He was also an All-EuroLeague Second Team selection in 2007. Smodiš was also the team captain of the senior Slovenian national team. He is currently a sporting director of KK Žoltasti Troti.

Matjaž Smodiš
Smodiš, during an interview in 2007.
Personal information
Born (1979-12-13) December 13, 1979
Trbovlje, SR Slovenia, SFR Yugoslavia
NationalitySlovenian
Listed height6 ft 8.75 in (2.05 m)
Listed weight265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
NBA draft2001: undrafted
Playing career1994–2013
PositionPower forward / center
Number8, 33
Career history
1994–2000Krka Novo Mesto
2000–2003Virtus Bologna
2003–2005Fortitudo Bologna
2005–2011CSKA Moscow
2011–2012Cedevita Zagreb
2012–2013Krka Novo Mesto
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's Basketball
Representing  Slovenia
FIBA U20 European Championship
Silver medal – second place1998 ItalyUnder-20 Team

Professional career

During his pro career, Smodiš played with teams like Krka Novo Mesto of the Slovenian League and the Italian League clubs Virtus Bologna and Climamio Bologna. Smodiš also played with the Russian League club CSKA Moscow, from 2005 to 2011, being one of the team's major stars. In 2011, he left CSKA Moscow, and signed with the Croatian club Cedevita Zagreb (A1 Croatian League).[1]

On November 30, 2012, he signed with his home town team, Krka.[2] Smodiš announced his retirement from playing professional basketball in May 2013, after leading Krka to their 4th consecutive Slovenian national domestic league championship.

National team career

Smodiš was a member of the Slovenian Under-20 junior national team that won the silver medal at the 1998 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship. Smodiš also played with the senior Slovenian national team. With Slovenia's senior national team, he played at the 1999 EuroBasket, the 2001 EuroBasket, the 2007 EuroBasket, the 2009 EuroBasket, and the 2011 EuroBasket.[3]

Awards and accomplishments

Pro career

Slovenian junior national team

References
  1. "Cedevita signs star forward Smodis". Archived from the original on October 18, 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  2. "SMODIS TO RETURN TO ACTION WITH KRKA". Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  3. Matjaz SMODIS (SLO).
  4. "Matjaz Smodis – Croatian Cup MVP". Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
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