Bucks Re-Sign Toni Kukoc

MILWAUKEE, Aug. 23, 2004 -- The Milwaukee Bucks have re-signed forward Toni Kukoc, General Manager Larry Harris announced today. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed in accordance with club policy.

“Toni brings many important elements to our team,” said Harris. “He’s a hard-working, unselfish player with great court vision. His teammates enjoy playing with him and our fans appreciate the way he plays. We look forward to another productive season from him.”

Kukoc, 35, is an 11-year NBA veteran who played the last two seasons with the Bucks, where he averaged 9.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.

“Toni gives us a solid presence off the bench,” said Head Coach Terry Porter. “His versatility, experience and leadership play a big role for us and we know he will continue to be a factor for our team as we move forward.”

Kukoc owns career averages of 12.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 728 regular season games. The Split, Croatia native has appeared in 96 career playoff games and owns three NBA World Championship rings as a member of the Chicago Bulls (1995-98). In the 2004 Playoffs, Kukoc averaged 8.4 points and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the field against Detroit.

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.