Bojan Bogdanović watches as countryman Mario Hezonja goes to the hoop (Photo credit: Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA/CC BY-SA 2.0)

One of Croatia’s greatest basketball players, Bojan Bogdanović, has officially announced his retirement from professional basketball at the age of 36.

The veteran shooting guard, who spent a decade in the NBA and represented seven teams, leaves behind a legacy marked by broken records, historic milestones, and a career earnings total exceeding 100 million US dollars, making him the highest-paid Croatian athlete in history.

Bogdanović shared the news on Instagram, reflecting emotionally on his two-decade-long journey through the world of basketball.

The decision comes after a 14-month struggle with a foot injury that required two surgeries and multiple attempts to return to the court.

“Sometimes in life, you do not choose the moment. The moment chooses you,” wrote Bogdanović.

“After more than two decades on the court, the time has come to say goodbye to basketball. Not just as a sport, but as a part of myself.”

From Mostar to the NBA

Bogdanović’s journey began in Mostar, where he first dabbled in football and water polo before turning his focus to basketball. His early club career took him from Zrinjski Mostar to European giants such as Real Madrid, Murcia, Cibona, and Fenerbahçe.

Bojan Bogdanović (Photo credit: Man Wiki/Dudek1337/CC BY-SA 2.0)

In 2014, his dream of playing in the NBA became reality when he signed with the Brooklyn Nets. Over the following ten years, he played for the Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons and, most recently, the New York Knicks.

Each stop added to a rich and respected NBA career. Notably, during his time with Utah Jazz, he signed a contract worth 73 million US dollars, the highest ever for a Croatian athlete.

Breaking Records and Making History

Bogdanović broke several long-standing Croatian basketball records in the NBA. He surpassed Dražen Petrović’s single-game scoring record with 48 points and overtook Toni Kukoč on the all-time Croatian scorers list in the league.

He also became the first player in NBA history to hit 11 three-pointers in a game without attempting a single two-point shot.

Above all, Bogdanović emphasised the honour of wearing the Croatian jersey. From cadet level to the senior national team, representing Croatia was, in his words, “not just a duty but an identity.”

“Wearing the colours of Croatia was the greatest responsibility and the greatest pride,” he said.

In his heartfelt message, Bogdanović thanked his coaches, teammates, doctors, fans and every club he played for along the way. He reserved special thanks for his family, whom he described as the foundation through every rise and every doubt.

“I have not reached the end,” his message concluded. “I have reached the other side of the beginning.”

Bojan Bogdanović departs as one of the finest players to wear the Croatian jersey and a respected figure in global basketball. His impact on the sport, both at home and abroad, will be remembered for generations to come.

By: Jonathon Zenk, Assistant Director of Communications

NATCHITOCHES—Highlighted by Jason Pugh earning the Mac Russo/Jack Brittain Award and Ronnette Pellegrin taking home the Marty Mulé Hero Award, the Northwestern State sports information staff collected eight total awards on Sunday afternoon at the annual Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s contest, concluding the LSWA’s annual conference.
The awards started during Saturday night’s Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame induction when Pellegrin was surprised with the Marty Mulé Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Hero Award, which recognizes her remarkable impact on the LSHOF.
Pellegrin, who works for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation and has been the NSU sports information administrative assistant since 2005, was honored with her hard work and dedication to help put on show that is the LHSOF induction weekend.
Sunday, Pugh began the LSWA contest awards by being awarded with the prestigious Mac Russo/Jack Brittain Award, which is awarded to an individual who “contributes to the progress and ideals of the LSWA.”
Originally named the Russo Award, the LSWA renamed the honor the Mac Russo-Jack Brittain Award following Brittain’s death in July 2023.
He joins his predecessor, legendary former NSU sports information director Doug Ireland, as a winner of the award.
It was one of four awards given to Pugh to go along with two won by Brad Welborn and former legendary NSU sports information director Doug Ireland, who was named Sports Writer of the Year.
Pugh, who followed Ireland as the head of the sports information department at NSU, took home the top spot in Division II for his story on NSU baseball’s twin brothers Brooks and Bryce Leonard drawing inspiration from their mother’s breast cancer fight.

He finished second both for his football recap of the heartbreaking loss to Prairie View A&M in the home opener, as well as his baseball game notes for the regular season finale series against in-state rival McNeese, in Division I and V, respectively.
Welborn, the assistant sports information director, showed his talent in both writing and graphics by picking up third place finishes in both.
In writing, he placed third in Division IV for his Fork Cancer story on volleyball’s Ashlyn Svoboda, who honored her grandfather’s memory wearing an orange jersey as the libero to commemorate her late grandfather’s battle with leukemia.
In graphics, he also took home a third-place finish in Division VII with one of his many tremendous graphics.
Even though his time as the head sports information director at NSU, Ireland’s love for writing has never been stronger—and his talent at it has never been better, either, as he was awarded with a number of awards, one that helped him earn LSWA Sports Writer of the Year, a well-deserved honor for the NSU legend.
 
Marty Mulé Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Hero Award – Ronnette Pellegrin
Mac Russo/Jack Brittain Award – Jason Pugh
LSWA Sports Writer of the Year – Doug Ireland
 
 
Division I
Demons fall short in heartbreaking loss to Prairie View A&M – Jason Pugh – 2nd place
 
Division II
#ForkCancer: Leonards draw inspiration from mother’s breast cancer fight – Jason Pugh – 1st place
 
Division IV
Svoboda honors grandfather’s battle in Fork Cancer match – Brad Welborn – 3rd place
 
Division V
NSU baseball game notes vs. McNeese – Jason Pugh – 2nd place
 
Division VII
Graphic, either of Aly Delafield’s hitting streak or during one of Mya Blake’s many hot streaks – Brad Welborn – 3rd place
 

Chung Wah School is set to make its debut appearance at this year’s Solomon Islands Secondary School Games (SISSG25).

School Sports Coordinator Ambrose Kikolo confirmed that the school will be participating in three of the five sports featured in the 2025 Games.

“We’ll be competing in Netball, Beach Volleyball, and Basketball 3×3, so we’re really looking forward to the coming days,” Kikolo said.

“This is the first time for Chung Wah to take part in the School Games, and we are very excited to compete and make new friends,” he added.

Kikolo noted that his students have spent nearly a month preparing for the games. With a young squad made up mostly of students from the junior forms, he believes the experience will be valuable for their development.

“I hope that from this year onward, Chung Wah will become one of the regular names among the participating schools at the SISSG,” he said.

He also called on families and friends to come out and support the team throughout the competition.

Meanwhile, Chung Wah will kick off their campaign in Beach Volleyball and Netball on Monday, June 30.

By TIMOTHY INIFIRI JNR

Solomon Star, Honiara

SAXTONS RIVER, Vt. – The Saxtons River Fourth of July Committee is excited to announce the details of this year’s celebration, which is scheduled to take place Friday, July 4, on Main Street in the Village of Saxtons River, Vt. Families have loved spending the Fourth of July in Saxtons River for more than 75 years.

The Fourth of July in Saxtons River is so much more than just a parade, it’s an experience. This year’s theme is “Where magic happens!” Everyone is welcome, and the best parade entry will receive a $500 prize. Entry forms can be found at www.srvtfourth.org/parade.

The day starts with the Firecracker 5K run, followed by the parade led by Grand Marshall Troy Wunderle. Then there’s firefighters water polo, cotton candy, a dunk tank, hula-hoop contest, egg toss, bounce house, and other kids’ games, great food, live music with local favorites The Gaslight Tinkers and Ezra Holloway up on the bandstand, ending with pickup softball games at the Rec Center.

We’re excited to announce this year’s grand marshal will be Troy Wunderle, a proud native of Vermont and a former international performer with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Troy’s antics have been featured on the Disney channel, The Today Show, Martha Stewart, Chronicle, Fetch, Fox and Friends, and America’s Funniest Home Videos. He is a juried artist through the Vermont State Arts Council, and is the 2022 recipient of the American Circus Educators Excellence in Circus Education Award.

Up on the bandstand after the parade, The Gaslight Tinkers will delight attendees. The Gaslight Tinkers’ blend of global rhythms creates a joyously danceable sound around a core of traditional New England old-time and Celtic fiddle music, merging boundless positive energy with melody and song. Since its formation in 2012, the band has lit up the East Coast, West Coast, and the Caribbean, headlining clubs, dances, and major festivals. The sound and energy of I-Shea, Clara, Garrett, Elie, and Peter are universally irresistible. Following The Gaslight Tinkers will be Saxton River’s own Ezra Holloway. Holloway is a genre-blending musician currently attending the Music Conservatory at Purchase College. Known for his high-energy live shows and emotionally resonant songwriting, Holloway combines elements of rock, pop, punk, and alternative music. After making a strong debut with his EP “A Moment in Time” in 2023, he returns with his latest EP “Fall Apart,” releasing July 1.

Local artists Anna Clark and Marci Cruthirds have teamed up to create this year’s collectors’ T-shirt design. The three-color design captures the magic that happens in our beloved village, and is certain to sell out. The first opportunity to get one will be at the Saxtons River Village Market on Saturday, June 28, from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. T-shirts will also be available at the street fair on the fourth, while supplies last. The cost helps cover expenses associated with this day-long event.

Embracing a reuse mindset to keep textiles out of landfills, again this year Clark and Cruthirds will hand silk screen a one-color version of this year’s T-shirt design on items already owned, which can be a T-shirt, a tote bag, a pillowcase, scarf, and more. T-shirts, or other items can be dropped off at the Saxtons River Village Market on Saturday, June 28, from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., and then picked up on the fourth, at the SR4 T-shirt booth. A small suggested donation will help support this amazing day.

This year, the pie contest will be a little different in that our panel of judges will be tasting pies and selecting the winners the evening of Thursday, July 3. Winners will be announced following the parade on the next day. Also new for this year, we’ll have a Young Baker Award, for the best pie from a baker under 18.

For a full schedule of events, visit www.srvtfourth.org/schedule.

PHILADELPHIA, Miss. (WTOK) – A hero’s welcome in Philadelphia, Mississippi, where one of their own has made it to football’s biggest stage.

A title fit for a hometown hero and a moment Jarquez Hunter will never forget.

The newly drafted Los Angeles Rams running back returned to where it all began, greeted by cheers, signs, and love from the place that raised him.

He first lit up Friday nights in Philadelphia, MS, earning the state’s prestigious Mr. Football title and rewriting the record books at Neshoba Central with an incredible 93 career touchdowns.

Then at Auburn, Hunter became one of the SEC’s most respected running backs, finishing his college career with 3,371 rushing yards, the 4th most in Auburn history, and 29 total touchdowns, cementing his place among the program’s greats.

Jarquez speaks from the heart when he talks about how much his hometown’s support has meant to him:

“Just kind of hearing everybody talk about how they are involved in my life and how much support they had — kind of emotional, a little bit. But I’m happy to see the people that came out and supported me, and came up there and talked about me. I mean, it was a great day. I feel like we had a great time, great experience. Just going out there and seeing all the things people had to say — the videos and stuff like that — it was a great time. It meant a lot to me.”

Hunter’s journey from Friday night lights to the NFL is defined by hard work and humility, qualities that have earned him respect on and off the field.

“That’s who he is,” said Shannon Ruffin, Neshoba Central Head Football Coach. “The young man that — while everybody’s at home sleeping, or doing whatever — he’s in the bleachers working. That didn’t just start yesterday. That is embedded in him as an individual.”

From the local football field to the national spotlight, Jarquez Hunter’s journey is already inspiring the next generation. On this first-ever Jarquez Hunter Day, the community didn’t just honor an athlete; they celebrated one of their own.

Click here to subscribe to our daily newsletter!

Copyright 2025 WTOK. All rights reserved.