Darko Milicic 2014 NBA News: No.2 Overall Draft Pick Retires for Kickboxing?

Darko Milicic, who was drafted No. 2 in 2003 next to LeBron James, is reportedly shifting from basketball to kickboxing.

A report by NBASerbia.com revealed that the Detroit Pistons player is set to sign a contract in pro boxing on Wednesday and will totally abandon his career in the NBA. It added that his first bout will also be announced on the same day.

The 29-year-old player, according to Fox Sports, has not been active in the NBA for about two years now. His career has not been that memorable considering the fact that he was expected to live up to the expectations of being a top pick.

His contemporaries have already established their names in the NBA. James, for one, has become a very big name in basketball while Carmelo Anthony, who was the No. 3 pick, is already a seven-time All Star.

Milicic, on the other hand, has failed to prove his talent in basketball, averaging less than 8.8 points per game during his entire career. Bleacher Report also noted that the 7-foot-tall athlete has already played for six teams during his 10-year stay in the NBA but only averaged 6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. His last game was for the Boston Celtics in 2012.

According to Mass Live, Milicic only appeared in one game for the Celtics where he played for five minutes, did a couple of errors and missed a shot. The Celtics announced that he left the team to take care of his sick mother. Milicic, however, admitted the truth and said that basketball is not really for him.

Sports Illustrated discussed that Milicic had no injury issues during his NBA career but that he was "simply not a good basketball player" or he lacked the motivation to push himself to be better. The report noted that since his exit from the NBA, the athlete spent his time training for the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO).

Some reports claim that his size will pose a threat to other kickboxers in the said industry.

Others are also speculating that Milicic might continue this shift to MMA fighting and enter the UFC. But this remains to be proven and done as his fans await the official announcement of his kickboxing career.

At his age, it won't be too late for Milicic to establish a colorful career in the MMA with his built and determination to recover from his failures in the NBA.

Perhaps he can also find what he was destined to do and inspire his own self to improve his craft and actually excel. This would be his second shot on professional sports and his fans are hoping that he would get it right this time.