Boban Marjanović has always stood out - on the court, on the screen, and now, apparently, in the press room.
The 7-foot-4 former NBA center took a detour from his usual post-playing pursuits this week to try something new: sports journalism. And where better to start than courtside with the UConn women’s basketball team, a powerhouse program that’s no stranger to the spotlight?
Marjanović spent Wednesday night soaking in the action from the student section at PeoplesBank Arena, joining UConn’s spirited fan group, The Top Dogs, as the Huskies steamrolled Creighton in a 94-44 win. The towering Serbian center stood out among the students - literally - but he leaned into the role, chanting along and even fiddling with a digital camera like any other college journalist might. A video of the scene quickly made the rounds online, and it’s hard not to smile watching Boban blend in with a crowd that barely reaches his shoulders.
But this wasn’t just a cameo for content. Marjanović made his way to the postgame press conference and introduced himself to legendary UConn head coach Geno Auriemma - not as a former NBA player, but as a reporter from The Daily Campus, UConn’s independent student newspaper. Yes, really.
He asked Auriemma about Sarah Strong, who returned to the lineup after sitting out the previous game for what the coach called “load management.” Marjanović didn’t overcomplicate it in his write-up: “Sarah Strong is back.
She played great.” That line made the cut in his 27-word article, published Friday morning under the title Boban’s Belief.
Concise? Absolutely.
But in true Boban fashion, it was delivered with charm and a wink.
He also brought a bit of home into the conversation, chatting with Auriemma about incoming recruit Jovana Popovic - a fellow Serbian - and even extending an invite for the coach to visit the Balkans. It was a moment that blended basketball insight with genuine cultural pride, something Marjanović has never been shy about sharing.
This trip to Storrs was just one stop on a larger Big East swing for Marjanović, who also caught Villanova’s narrow 77-74 win over Marquette earlier in the week. Again, he watched from the student section, creating some unique sightlines for fans behind him - but also generating plenty of buzz. Wherever Boban goes, the cameras follow, and he’s clearly enjoying the attention without taking himself too seriously.
At 37, Marjanović continues to play professionally overseas in Slovenia, but since stepping away from the NBA in 2024, he’s been steadily building a presence in media and entertainment. He’s racked up six acting credits, including appearances in Hulu’s 2023 comedy-thriller Self Reliance and last year’s Happy Gilmore 2 sequel. His blend of size, humor, and heart has made him a natural fit in front of the camera - and now, apparently, behind the keyboard too.
Whether this was a one-off assignment or the beginning of a new chapter, one thing’s clear: Boban Marjanović brings the same joy and curiosity to the press box that he did to the paint. And in a world that sometimes takes sports a little too seriously, that’s a welcome addition.