Misko Raznatovic, a defining force in international basketball, has become synonymous with talent management and player representation. Known predominantly as the agent of Nikola Jokic, Raznatovic’s influence stretches far beyond one player, extending into the very fabric of <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA and EuroLeague talent recruitment. Over decades, Raznatovic has shaped careers with a unique blend of legal expertise and basketball insight, establishing himself as a pivotal figure behind some of the sport’s greatest success stories.
Born on September 16, 1966, in Kruševac, Serbia, Raznatovic’s upbringing in a modest but intellectually vibrant household laid the foundation for his later achievements. His parents, both educators, instilled a disciplined and thoughtful approach to life. Growing up in Staro dvoriste, a lively Serbian neighborhood marked by street basketball, he developed an early passion for the game. Here, amid the schoolyard courts of Vuk Karadzic Elementary School, Raznatovic’s sharp mind and competitive nature took shape, fueling his twin interests in academics and sports.
Raznatovic’s high school years were a balance of diligent study and basketball tournaments, during which he earned a reputation as both gritty and strategic. This blend would later prove essential in his unique career path. He went on to graduate from the University of Belgrade Faculty of Law in 1988, all the while playing professional basketball in the former Yugoslavia. This rare combination of legal training and firsthand sports experience positioned him well for what was to come.
Forging a Path: How Raznatovic Became a Leading Basketball Agent
Misko Raznatovic did not initially set out to become a sports agent. After founding a law firm in 1992 focused on criminal law, he found himself drawn into the growing world of Serbian basketball. As investment grew in the sport during the early 1990s, players urgently needed reliable representation to protect their interests. Given his legal background and basketball experience, Raznatovic emerged as the natural choice to fill this void.
Raznatovic recalled,
“They started coming to me for drawing their contracts,”
—Misko Raznatovic, basketball agent, describing how his side work transformed into full-time representation. This shift led to the creation of BeoBasket, which would soon become one of Europe’s most influential basketball agencies.
His career took a significant leap in 2002 when he brokered a major three-year coaching contract for Dusan Ivkovic with CSKA Moscow. This deal not only boosted Raznatovic’s standing in European basketball circles but also propelled BeoBasket into a dominant position. By the 2017-18 EuroLeague season, the agency represented 35 players, more than any other at the time. The agency’s portfolio of clients includes well-known names such as Boban Marjanovic, Dario Šaric, Rodrigue Beaubois, Ivica Zubac, Ante Zizic, Nikola Jovic, Cedi Osman, and Vasilije Micic.
Raznatovic’s influence also crossed into notable moments like Deron Williams’ 2011 transfer to Besiktas during the NBA lockout, showcasing his ability to navigate complex situations and serve diverse client needs. However, his discovery and signing of Nikola Jokic may be his most remarkable achievement. While scanning a Serbian newspaper, Raznatovic spotted exceptional statistics from a youth player in the U18 league. He recalled,
“29 points and, if I’m not wrong, 26 rebounds,”
—Misko Raznatovic, recalling Jokic’s early numbers, and the following week, Jokic posted
“30 points and 37 rebounds.”
The Rare Signing of Nikola Jokic and the Vision Behind His Stardom
Intrigued by Jokic’s extraordinary performance, Raznatovic reached out to his scout only to be met with silence; the scout was unfamiliar with the player. Raznatovic then took an unusually hands-on approach.
“So I called my scout and asked him about him. It was silence. He didn’t know him,”
and
“For me, it was the surprise of the year… I told him, ‘Go to his place, which is like 50 miles from Belgrade, find the family, and talk with them.’”
—Misko Raznatovic on the unconventional discovery of Jokic.
This marked the only instance in BeoBasket’s 27-year history where a player was signed sight unseen. Jokic joined the agency at 17-and-a-half years old based purely on Raznatovic’s instincts and commitment to uncovering raw talent.
“Nikola joined the agency at 17-and-a-half,”
and
“This is the first and last player in the 27-year-old history of the agency when we signed him without anybody seeing him.”
—Misko Raznatovic emphasizing the agency’s rare decision.
Jokic’s rise from this leap of faith has been nothing short of extraordinary. He evolved into a two-time NBA MVP, an NBA Champion, and is widely considered one of the best, if not the best, players in the world today. This success highlighted Raznatovic’s exceptional talent evaluation and unwavering confidence in nurturing overlooked players.
Building Elite Talent: The Creation and Impact of Mega Basket
In 2004, Raznatovic acquired the Serbian basketball club KK Avala Ada, renaming it KK Mega with a strategic goal to develop young, elite talent. The club quickly earned a reputation as a premier development platform, growing into Mega Basket, a respected European team. Mega Basket has been instrumental in shaping the careers of numerous NBA-bound players, including Vasilije Micic, Goga Bitadze, Ivica Zubac, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, and Nikola Jokic.
Under Raznatovic’s leadership, Mega Basket won the Radivoj Korac Cup in 2016 and secured a steady presence in the ABA League. Beyond team achievements, the club functions as a vital incubator, continually feeding rising stars into Europe’s top leagues and the NBA, further cementing Raznatovic’s impact on global basketball talent development.
A Glimpse into Raznatovic’s Personal Life and Approach to Representation
Despite Raznatovic’s immense success, he maintains a private personal life, keeping his family largely out of the public eye. He is married to Dr. Vanja Raznatovic, a respected medical professional, and their daughter Masa plays basketball for Art Basket, a Belgrade-based club. Masa has also cultivated a significant social media following, with over 33,000 Instagram followers, reflecting a family’s evolving connection to modern sports culture.
Known for his straightforward and uncompromising style, Raznatovic distinguishes himself from many agents by insisting on honesty with his clients. He told Pete Radovich,
“From the beginning, I’ve been doing things my own way. Even after years of success, that hasn’t changed. I consider it my duty to talk to the players and point out their mistakes.”
—Misko Raznatovic explaining his method of player management.
Raznatovic holds the unique distinction of representing both the EuroLeague MVP and NBA MVP within the same year, highlighting his unparalleled reach and influence. His recent high-profile interactions, including a photo on Instagram with LeBron James and Maverick Carter aboard a yacht in Saint-Tropez, illustrate the circles he now commands among the sport’s global powerbrokers.
Combining basketball intelligence, legal talent, business acumen, and gut instincts, Raznatovic lives and breathes the game. Whether mentoring young athletes at Mega Basket, negotiating major contracts, or simply attending youth basketball games in Serbia, his restless drive to shape basketball’s future remains constant.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Nikola Jokic’s nickname?
A. Nikola Jokić is known by the famous nickname “Joker” in the NBA, though how he got it isn’t completely known.