Kings name Vlade Divac vice president of basketball, franchise operations

The Sacramento Kings have hired Vlade Divac has vice president of basketball and franchise operations.

The Sacramento Kings have hired Vlade Divac as vice president of basketball and franchise operations, the team announced Tuesday.

Divac, 47, played for the Kings from 1998-2004 and retired from the NBA in 2005. In his front-office role, Divac will advise the Kings' front office and coaching staff, assist with the franchise's global branding efforts, contribute to fan outreach initiatives and work with the team's player development programs. The Kings also said Divac, a native of Serbia, will help "facilitate talent evaluation and help foster relationships between the team and a growing pipeline of European athletes."

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[daily_cut.nba]"It's a great honor returning to the city that has provided a lifetime of unforgettable experiences," Divac said in a release. "Sacramento and the Kings organization were always in my thoughts and I often dreamed of having a role in helping our amazing fans realize the ultimate NBA prize. I'm thankful to [owner Vivek Ranadive] for the opportunity and look forward to creating more special memories here."

Divac retired from professional basketball in 2007 and was named president of the Serbian Olympic Committee.

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Over 16 NBA seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets and Kings, Divac averaged 11.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. He is one of four players in NBA history to record at least 13,000 points, 9,000 rebounds, 3,000 assists, 1,200 steals and 1,600 blocked shots, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon and Kevin Garnett.

The Kings made the playoffs in every season Divac played for them, reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2001-02.

- Mike Fiammetta