Transfer history, career moves and every Basketball Sphere story, updated automatically.
- Position
- Forward
- Last club
Crvena Zvezda- Nationality
- Serbia
- Born
- 8 Nov 1991
Nikola Kalinic stopped playing in August 2026. He was 34. He stayed at Crvena zvezda as an assistant coach. He was born in Subotica on 8 November 1991.
He won the EuroLeague once, with Fenerbahce in 2017. That was his second season in Istanbul. He spent five years there and won three Turkish titles. It was the longest stay of his career.
Belgrade kept calling him back. He played for Zvezda three separate times. The last spell ran from 2024 until he retired. In between he was at Valencia and Barcelona.
With Serbia he won two silver medals. One at the World Cup in 2014. One at the Rio Olympics two years later. He was ABA League MVP in 2022.
FAQ About Nikola Kalinic
What exactly is his role at Crvena zvezda now?
He is an assistant to head coach Ibon Navarro, on a two year deal, and he is studying for his coaching license at the same time. He put it plainly himself when he announced it: “And then, who knows, on to new challenges.”
Where did he play before he was known?
At four Serbian clubs, all before he turned twenty three. He started at Spartak in his home town of Subotica, then played for Novi Sad, Vojvodina and Radnicki Kragujevac. Crvena zvezda signed him in 2014.
Did he win anything in Spain?
One league title. He joined Barcelona in 2022 and won the Spanish championship in his first season there. He had spent the year before at Valencia, which was his only season outside Serbia and Turkey until then.
Transfer history
- Nikola Kalinic retiresReleased
Latest news
- Codi Miller-McIntyre weighs in on Crvena Zvezda’s new era under Ibon Navarro
- Nikola Kalinic explains his Fenerbahce stance: Anadolu Efes called me, but I didn’t want to go
- Nikola Kalinic explains decision to retire: I couldn’t do it anymore
- Ibon Navarro explains Nikola Kalinic’s role and Crvena Zvezda rotation plan
- Luigi Datome speaks on Nikola Kalinic, Jan Vesely retirements and Zeljko Obradovic’s Panathinaikos return
- INTERVIEW – Dejan Radonjic: Nikola Kalinic returned to Crvena Zvezda as one of the best at his position
- EuroLeague Daily Brief (Aug. 19, 2026): Kendrick Nunn injury blow, Dubai face potential trouble over Thomas Walkup
- Chima Moneke opens up on Nikola Kalinic after Crvena Zvezda star retires
- EuroLeague Daily Brief (Aug. 18, 2026): Thomas Walkup terminates Olympiacos deal, Markus Howard turns down Turkish offers
- Nikola Kalinic reflects on 17-year career after retirement: One crazy ride
- Nikola Kalinic stays at Crvena Zvezda: New role officially confirmed
- EuroLeague Daily Brief (Aug. 17, 2026): Nikola Kalinic retires, Zeljko Obradovic stopped Jerian Grant’s transfer
