Miami Heat sign Jankovic
BRUCE ASATO / FEB. 2016
Former Hawaii forward Stefan Jankovic has signed a free agent contract with the Miami Heat.
Former Hawaii basketball forward Stefan Jankovic has signed a free agent contract with Miami, the Heat announced today.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The 6-foot-11 Big West Player of the Year, who went undrafted, is one of 16 players under contract for next season, according to the Miami Sun Sentinel. The Heat will have to narrow their roster to 15 for the 2016-17 regular season.
“We’re extremely proud of Janks,” UH coach Eran Ganot said in a release from the university. “He worked hard to get to this point and it’s great to see him take this big step closer to fulfilling his NBA dream. We’re thrilled for him and his family and everyone here on the islands will continue to send our support his way as he continues his journey.”
Jankovic has played in five games with the Heat’s summer league squad in Orlando, Fla., and Las Vegas.
He made a strong debut in Orlando, scoring 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting. He averaged 7.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 13.5 minutes per game while shooting 53.3 percent from the field in three contests there.
In his first game in Las Vegas, he totaled eight points, three assists and two rebounds, though he went scoreless in limited action on Tuesday.
If Jankovic makes it to the regular season, he could be the first former UH player to play in the NBA since Anthony Carter last suited up in 2011-12 for the Toronto Raptors.
Fresh off the announcement of his deal, Jankovic scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds to help the Heat defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 81-77 in a first-round summer playoff game.
He shot 4-for-8 and chipped in two assists, a steal and a block.
The Heat face the Phoenix Suns in the second round on Thursday at a time to be announced.
30 responses to “Miami Heat sign Jankovic”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
AWESOME !!! GOOD LUCK “JANKS”
Yes, good luck!
Go. Owe!
Oops. Go Bows!
Hope Stefan can stick with the Heat. He’s a talented guy who’s worked hard, and it will certainly give Coach Ganot something positive to talk about with potential new recruits to the UH program.
Janks needs to get stronger but he can play!
Great news!
Appears that the Heat was looking to sign him after the 1st game. Thereafter limited playing time. 16 under contract for now and will be down to 15 when the season starts. Has a very good chance of making it. Work hard, do well and make your dream come true.
Go Janks !!!
Great job Janks! Good luck and hopefully will be kept on the team long term. Go Bows!
Congrats! Stay grounded and focused.
3 D’s desire, dedication and determination. Keep it going, doing great, true warrior!
Congrats with the free agent contract Janks – TJ must be smiling down on you!
“TJ” … ?????
Had my doubts but he pulled through! Congratulations!
The NBA has embraced a more European style of play so Janks could play his way onto the team.
wonder what the rookie minimum salary is and if it’s guaranteed ?
$543,471.00
http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/info/minimum_scal
Oxtail01 said that he has NO CHANCE on making it…Oxtail01 criticized people who supported Jank’s dream of playing the NBA. I wonder what his motivation is to be so negative about Janks.
Oxtail01 is an anti, just against everything. Comes from a negative point of view.Sad that he is right sometime but I, personally, don’t need his rhetoric. It is anti social and just rude. He is entitled to his opinion but thats just him/her!
What’s the matter oxtail. The cat got your tongue. Waiting to hear from you for your wise wisdom.
What, Chow lover, you got difficulties with reading comprehension too? Actually, that shouldn’t have been a question but a statement of fact.
Being against idiocy is a good thing, except i….ts like you wouldn’t know that.
Why is being right sad? If I’m right sometimes, why is that rhetoric?
Wait, did he make the NBA? NO! Hey, dodos, wait until the real season starts. Do you actually know how to read English or is Kanji all you know? Wait, you know s….t.
Always said he had the offensive moves. But what happened to someone who said, “Janks will NEVER make NBA. His skill level is so far below what NBA needs. People like you can wish or hope all you like but it ‘ain’t happening.” And they didn’t even start him before they finally signed him. Good Luck! Assured of being a Pro somewhere.
He will NEVER make the NBA.
Janks, you make Hawaii proud!! Go Bows, Go Janks!
Congratulations Jankovic! I may start watching NBA games again.
Why? He’s not going to be playing.