By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Former player Nikola Pekovic has reportedly been connected to a criminal group by the Police Directorate of Montenegro.
Upon a search across 11 locations in northern regions of the country located in the Balkans, the police made two arrests and filed several misdemeanor charges. One of the temporarily seized vehicles was found to be registered to Pekovic, according to Montenegrin outlet Vijesti.
Pekovic, 39, has been identified as a member of the Saric brothers’ criminal group. It remains unclear whether his latest connection to the organization will result in any further actions.
Items recovered by the police during the search of the vehicle included illegally possessed firearms and more military technology, marijuana, and opiate pills, per a press release.
Playing days of the Montenegrin center featured 271 NBA games with the Minnesota Timberwolves between 2010 and 2016. From 2005 to 2011, he also made his way to 98 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games, including a championship campaign with Panathinaikos in 2009. Following a decorated junior career with Serbia and Montenegro, his jump to the senior level was highlighted by representing Montenegro in the EuroBasket 2011.
Dealing with several injuries, Pekovic was waived by the Wolves at the end of the 2016-17 season and eventually called it a day. Retaining links to basketball, he resurfaced for the senior national team of his country and former team Partizan, and went on to serve as president of the Basketball Federation of Montenegro, KSCG, and of the club based in Belgrade.