Toni Kukoc named special advisor to Bulls president

The Chicago Bulls announced Monday that Toni Kukoc has been named special advisor to team president and chief operating officer Jerry Reinsdorf.

"Toni will work across the organization and his duties will be wide-ranging," Reinsdorf said in a statement. "He will bring valuable perspective that comes with experience to many areas, whether it is relating to the international players on our team or sharing what it means to be a Chicago Bull when talking to partners and fans. Toni will be a strong representative of both the team's legacy and its future."

Kukoc played seven seasons in a Bulls uniform, helping the team capture its second championship three-peat (1996-1998). During his tenure in Chicago, he averaged 14.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, with an 18.6 PER. He was named the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year in 1995-96.

"It is a thrill and an honor to again be a part of the team that helped define my basketball career here in the United States and in Chicago," Kukoc said as part of the announcement. "The Bulls have become my extended family, and I am really looking forward to the future and being a Bull for life."

The 46-year-old Croatian was drafted by the Bulls with the No. 29 pick in 1990. He did not join the team until the 1993-94 season, after Michael Jordan left to try his hand at baseball.

Kukoc did share a court with Jordan before arriving stateside, however, as he was an integral part of the Croatian national team's Olympic run in 1992. They wound up losing to Jordan's U.S. squad in the gold medal game. Kukoc notched 16 points, five rebounds, and nine assists in the game.

He now joins fellow Bulls legend Scottie Pippen - who has occupied a similar role since 2012 - as part of Reinsdorf's advisory staff.