Dejan Vasiljevic

Vasiljevic was born in Calgary, Alberta, the son of Serbian handball player Todor Vasiljević. He moved with his family to Melbourne at the age of six. Growing up, Vasiljevic played soccer, tennis, and cricket, and did not begin playing basketball until the age of 12. His father attempted to mold him after Serbian basketball player Dejan Bodiroga and enrolled his son at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).{{cite news |last1=Hajducky |first1=Dan |title=Don't define Miami's Dejan Vasiljevic as only a 3-point shooter |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/25886931/guard-dejan-vasiljevic-brings-australia-roots-miami-basketball-cbb |accessdate=10 May 2020 |work=ESPN |date=30 January 2019}}

While at the AIS in Canberra, Vasiljevic attended Lake Ginninderra College.{{cite news |last1=Gaskin |first1=Lee |title=Basketball: American college scouts check out Australian talent at schools titles in Canberra |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/basketball-american-college-scouts-check-out-australian-talent-at-schools-titles-in-canberra-20151201-glcbta.html |access-date=22 December 2024 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=2 December 2015 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Gaskin |first1=Lee |title=Basketball: Lake Ginninderra continues perfect run to reach final of national championships |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6057524/basketball-lake-ginninderra-continues-perfect-run-to-reach-final-of-national-championships/ |access-date=22 December 2024 |work=www.canberratimes.com.au |date=3 December 2015 |language=en-au}} He helped Lake Ginninderra win the national title at the 2015 Australian schools championships alongside teammate Jack White. Vasiljevic scored 45 points in the final.{{cite news |last1=Gaskin |first1=Lee |title=Basketball: Vasiljevic scores 45 points as Lake Ginninderra claim national title |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/basketball-vasiljevic-scores-45-points-as-lake-ginninderra-claim-national-title-20151204-glfaj9.html |access-date=22 December 2024 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=4 December 2015 |language=en}}

Vasiljevic was recruited by Stanford, LSU, Louisville, and California, but he signed with Miami because he liked the academics and his family loved the city.

Vasiljevic set the Miami freshman record for made three-pointers (51) while averaging 6.0 points and 1.3 rebounds per game.{{cite web |last1=Hepburn |first1=Ky-Shon |title=Canes Hoops player profile: Dejan Vasiljevic |url=https://www.stateoftheu.com/2017/10/22/16480070/miami-hurricanes-basketball-dejan-vasiljevic-great-shooter-elite-jumpshot-developing-all-around-game |website=State of the U |publisher=SB Nation |accessdate=10 May 2020 |date=22 October 2017}} He posted 9.0 points and 2.5 rebounds per game as a sophomore, while shooting 41.1 percent from three-point range.{{cite news |last1=Uluc |first1=Olgun |title=Top 5 Australian juniors entering the 2018-19 college basketball season |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/basketball/top-5-australian-juniors-entering-the-201819-college-basketball-season/news-story/e1268baf66bff4b545d2fbd6b4626e69 |accessdate=10 May 2020 |work=Fox Sports |date=29 October 2018}} At the end of his sophomore season, Vasiljevic suffered a stress fracture in his foot. Instead of surgery, he went on a nutrition plan crafted by his girlfriend, and lost some weight.{{cite news |last1=Uluc |first1=Olgun |title=Dejan Vasiljevic could've gone pro, but is using a lifestyle change and new leadership experience in a career season for Miami |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/basketball/dejan-vasiljevic-couldve-gone-pro-but-is-using-a-lifestyle-change-and-new-leadership-experience-in-a-career-season-for-miami/news-story/6a85be2e065c95ab58addf2949558c53 |accessdate=10 May 2020 |work=Fox Sports |date=29 November 2019}} As a junior, Vasiljevic averaged 11.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game on a team that finished 14–18.{{cite news |title=Conference season comes early this year |url=https://www.si.com/college/louisville/basketball/cardinals-opener-miami |accessdate=10 May 2020 |work=Sports Illustrated |date=4 November 2019}} Following his junior season, Vasiljevic considered turning professional, but was persuaded to return by coach Jim Larrañaga. On 21 November 2019, he scored a career-high 25 points including the two clinching foul shots with 1.2 seconds remaining in a 74–70 win over Missouri State.{{cite news |title=Vasiljevic leads Miami to 74-70 win over Missouri State |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401168204 |accessdate=10 May 2020 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=21 November 2019}} As a senior, Vasiljevic averaged 13.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. He scored 1,271 points in his college career, ranking 21st on the Hurricane's all-time list, and is second in made three-pointers with 272.{{cite news |last1=Stock |first1=Christopher |title=Dejan Vasiljevic shooting on an island, aims to begin pro career |url=https://247sports.com/college/miami/Article/Miami-Hurricanes-basketball-SG-Dejan-Vasiljevic-shooting-on-an-island-aims-to-begin-pro-career-and-being-NBA-Draft-process-146230620/ |accessdate=10 May 2020 |work=247 Sports |date=19 April 2020}}

After going undrafted in the 2020 NBA draft, Vasiljevic signed with the Sydney Kings of the National Basketball League (NBL) on 17 July 2020.{{cite web|title=Sydney Sign Dejan Vasiljevic on Multi-Year Deal|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/sydney-sign-dejan-vasiljevic-on-multi-year-deal|website=NBL.com.au|date=17 July 2020|access-date=17 July 2020}} In 21 games in the 2020–21 NBL season, he averaged 15.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.{{cite web|title=Dejan Vasiljevic|url=https://basketball.australiabasket.com/player/Dejan-Vasiljevic/275348|website=AustraliaBasket.com|access-date=29 June 2023|url-access=subscription}}

In the 2021–22 NBL season, Vasiljevic helped the Kings win the championship.{{cite web|title=Kings Win First Championship in 17 Years with Record Crowd|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/kings-win-first-championship-in-17-years-with-record-crowd|work=NBL.com.au|date=11 May 2022|access-date=11 May 2022}} In 31 games, he averaged 12.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.

In the 2022 off-season, Vasiljevic played for the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Summer League{{cite web|title=Phoenix Suns 2022 NBA2K23 Summer League Roster|url=https://www.nba.com/summer-league/2022/vegas/team/1610612756/suns|website=NBA.com|access-date=9 July 2022}} and the Diamond Valley Eagles in the NBL1 South.

On 4 January 2023, Vasiljevic scored a career-high 42 points with ten 3-pointers in a 118–102 win over the South East Melbourne Phoenix.{{cite web|title=Kings Too Much for Phoenix on DJ's Career Night|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/kings-too-much-for-phoenix-on-djs-career-night|website=NBL.com.au|date=4 January 2023|access-date=4 January 2023}} He went on to help the Kings win back-to-back NBL championships.{{cite web|title=Kings' Big Finish to Secure Back-to-Back Championships|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/kings-big-finish-to-secure-back-to-back-championships|work=NBL.com.au|date=15 March 2023|access-date=15 March 2023}} In 36 games in 2022–23, he averaged 13.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. He opted out of his contract with the Kings following the season{{cite web|first=Olgun|last=Uluc|title=Dejan Vasiljevic opts out of his Sydney Kings' contract|url=https://www.espn.com.au/nbl/story/_/id/37932207/nbl-dejan-vasiljevic-opts-contract-sydney-kings|website=ESPN.com.au|date=29 June 2023|access-date=29 June 2023}} and returned to the Diamond Valley Eagles for a short stint.

Vasiljevic played for the Washington Wizards in the 2023 NBA Summer League and then joined the team for a brief pre-season stint.{{cite tweet|author=Washington Wizards|title=Official: We have signed guard Dejan Vasiljevic to an Exhibit 10 contract. Vasiljevic participated in 2023 Summer League with our team in Las Vegas.|number=1702773140701511859|user=WashWizards|date=15 September 2023|access-date=16 September 2023}}{{cite tweet|author=Washington Wizards|title=Official: We have signed Jules Bernard to an Exhibit 10 contract. We have also placed Dejan Vasiljevic on waivers.|number=1708577479110062200|user=WashWizards|date=1 October 2023|access-date=1 October 2023}}

On 17 October 2023, Vasiljevic signed with the Adelaide 36ers for the rest of the 2023–24 NBL season.{{cite web|title=Vasiljevic completes sensational NBL return|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/vasiljevic-completes-sensational-nbl-return|work=NBL.com.au|date=17 October 2023|access-date=17 October 2023}} On 29 January 2024, he signed a three-year contract extension with the 36ers.{{cite web|title=DJ locks in new deal|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/dj-locks-in-new-deal|work=NBL.com.au|date=29 January 2024|access-date=29 January 2024}}

Vasiljevic joined the Waverley Falcons for the 2024 NBL1 South season.{{cite web |title=Paris dreams as Vasiljevic joins Falcons |url=https://www.adelaide36ers.com/news/paris-dreams-as-vasiljevic-joins-falcons |website=Adelaide 36ers |access-date=25 April 2024 |date=3 April 2024}}

On 5 December 2024, Vasiljevic was ruled out for a month with a hamstring injury.{{cite news |title=Injury Update: DJ hamstrung |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/injury-update-dj-hamstrung |access-date=5 December 2024 |work=NBL Official Website |date=5 December 2024}} On 19 January 2025, he scored 32 points and made ten 3-pointers, including seven 3-pointers in the first quarter, in a 99–75 win over the Cairns Taipans.{{cite news |title=DJ shoots 36ers to big win in Cairns |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/dj-shoots-36ers-to-big-win-in-cairns |access-date=19 January 2025 |work=NBL Official Website |date=19 January 2025}}

He is set to join the Forestville Eagles of the NBL1 Central for the 2025 season.{{cite news |title=Eagles sign NBL star |url=https://nbl1.com.au/article/eagles-sign-nbl-star |access-date=28 February 2025 |work=nbl1.com.au |date=28 February 2025}}

Vasiljevic has represented Australia at several international tournaments. In the 2013 FIBA Oceania U16 Tournament, he averaged 20 points per game.{{cite news |last1=Porter |first1=Matt |title=Basketball recruiting: Dejan Vasiljevic commits to Miami Hurricanes |url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/article/20160120/SPORTS/812028701 |accessdate=10 May 2020 |work=Palm Beach Post |date=20 January 2016}} He won a silver medal at the 2014 FIBA Under-17 World Championship in Dubai and was named to the all-tournament team after averaging 17.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. At the 2015 FIBA Under-19 World Championship in Heraklion, Vasiljevic averaged 13.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.{{cite web |title=4 - Dejan Vasiljevic |url=https://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/player/p/pid/109119/sid/8043/tid/239/tid2//_/2015_FIBA_U19_World_Championship/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024060404/https://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/player/p/pid/109119/sid/8043/tid/239/tid2//_/2015_FIBA_U19_World_Championship/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 October 2023 |website=FIBA |accessdate=10 May 2020}}

In 2019, Vasiljevic helped his team win bronze at the Summer Universiade in Italy, scoring 33 points in the consolation win against Israel.{{cite web |last1=Arsenis |first1=Damian |title=Dejan Vasiljevic powers Emerging Boomers to Universiade bronze |url=https://pickandroll.com.au/dejan-vasiljevic-powers-emerging-boomers-to-universiade-bronze/ |website=Pickandroll.com.au |accessdate=10 May 2020 |date=12 July 2019}}

Vasiljevic debuted for the Australian Boomers during the FIBA World Cup qualifiers in 2021. He re-joined the Boomers for 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in 2024.{{cite web |title=Dejan Vasiljevic |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/en/players/205270-dejan-vasiljevic |website=fiba.basketball |access-date=16 November 2024 |language=en |date=16 November 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/nbl-stars-headline-boomers-team|title=NBL stars headline Boomers team|work=NBL.com.au|date=30 October 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241116124307/https://nbl.com.au/news/nbl-stars-headline-boomers-team|archive-date=16 November 2024}}

In April 2025, Vasiljevic was named in the Boomers squad for a trans-Tasman series against New Zealand in May.{{cite news |title=Opals and Boomers bring fire to the AUS v NZL Trans-Tasman Throwdown |url=https://www.australia.basketball/news/4249992/opals-and-boomers-bring-fire-to-the-aus-v-nzl-trans-tasman-throwdown |access-date=17 April 2025 |work=www.australia.basketball |date=17 April 2025 |language=en}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://nbl.com.au/player/3694/1569996/dejan-vasiljevic NBL profile]
• [https://hurricanesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/dejan-vasiljevic/12535 Miami Hurricanes bio]
• [https://nbl1.com.au/news/dejan-vasiljevic-re-signs-with-diamond-valley "Dejan Vasiljevic re-signs with Diamond Valley"] at nbl1.com.au
• [https://nbl1.com.au/news/why-dejan-vasiljevic-is-back-with-the-eagles "Why Dejan Vasiljevic is back with the Eagles"] at nbl1.com.au

{{Adelaide 36ers current roster}}

{{Sydney Kings 2021–22 NBL champions}}

{{Sydney Kings 2022–23 NBL champions}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vasiljevic, Dejan}}

Category:1997 births

Category:Living people

Category:Adelaide 36ers players

Category:Australian expatriate basketball people in the United States

Category:Australian men's basketball players

Category:Australian people of Serbian descent

Category:Basketball players from Calgary

Category:Basketball players from Melbourne

Category:Canadian emigrants to Australia

Category:FISU World University Games bronze medalists for Australia

Category:Medalists at the 2019 Summer Universiade

Category:Miami Hurricanes men's basketball players

Category:People educated at Lake Ginninderra College

Category:Shooting guards

Category:Sportsmen from Victoria (state)

Category:Summer World University Games medalists in basketball

Category:Sydney Kings players

Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen