How to Pronounce Peja Stojaković

Meaning and Context

Predrag "Peja" Stojaković, born June 9, 1977, is a retired Serbian basketball legend renowned as one of the most prolific and purest three-point shooters in NBA history. His professional journey, which began with stellar seasons in Greece for PAOK, catapulted him to international fame during a decorated 13-year NBA career, primarily with the Sacramento Kings. There, he formed a crucial part of the early 2000s Kings teams famed for their dynamic, pass-oriented offense, earning three NBA All-Star selections (2002, 2003, 2004) and winning the 2011 NBA Championship as a key contributor with the Dallas Mavericks. Beyond the NBA, Stojaković was a cornerstone of the Serbian national team, winning a FIBA World Championship gold medal in 2002 and multiple European medals. His legacy as a sharpshooting forward, NBA champion, and European basketball icon is cemented by his induction into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2022, celebrating a career defined by flawless shooting mechanics, clutch performances, and profound influence on the globalization of basketball.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and correct Anglicized spelling is "Peja Stojaković," utilizing the Latin alphabet with the diacritical mark (caron) over the 'c' (ć). In his native Serbian Cyrillic, it is written as "Предраг Стојаковић." Common misspellings and variations arise from omitting the diacritic or misplacing letters, such as "Stojakovic" (most common anglicization), "Stojakovik," or "Stojakovich." The first name is sometimes fully written as "Predrag," but "Peja" (pronounced PAY-uh) is the universally recognized nickname. Typos frequently include "Peja Stojakovic," "Peja Stojakowic," or "Paja Stojaković." In historical NBA statistics and some media archives, the diacritic is often omitted for simplicity, though the formal presentation retains it.

Example Sentences

Peja Stojaković's signature skill was his lightning-quick release and deadly accuracy from beyond the arc, which stretched defenses to their breaking point.

During the Kings' memorable 2002 Western Conference Finals run, Stojaković was virtually unguardable, raining threes from all angles on the court.

Young players across Europe grew up emulating Peja Stojaković's picture-perfect jump shot, hoping to replicate his success.

After years of stellar individual play, Stojaković finally captured the elusive NBA championship ring with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011.

His jersey retirement by the Sacramento Kings was a fitting tribute to a player whose name became synonymous with three-point excellence in the franchise's history.

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