Boban Marjanović: NBA's Gentle Giant & Chick-fil-A Hero

There's generous, and then there's Boban Marjanović generous. The 7-foot-4 Serbian NBA center made headlines in April 2024 when he deliberately missed two consecutive free throws — not out of nerves or poor form, but to gift an entire arena full of fans free chicken sandwiches. It's the kind of moment that sounds too wholesome to be real, yet it's completely on brand for one of basketball's most beloved gentle giants. Whether you've just discovered this story or you've been a Boban fan for years, here's everything you need to know about the man, the myth, and the missed free throws.

Who Is Boban Marjanović? A Giant With an Even Bigger Heart

Born in Serbia, Boban Marjanović stands at an almost unbelievable 7 feet 4 inches tall, making him one of the tallest players in NBA history. His size alone would be enough to make him memorable, but what truly sets Boban apart is his personality — warm, playful, and utterly disarming.

Marjanović entered the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs before moving through a number of teams including the Detroit Pistons, the Philadelphia 76ers (where he was famously compared to Philly mascot Gritty in a hilarious "Tale of the Tape" matchup), the Los Angeles Clippers, the Dallas Mavericks, and eventually the Houston Rockets. Wherever he goes, the crowds love him — and moments like the 2024 Chick-fil-A free throw incident show exactly why.

Off the court, Boban is a family man. He is married to Milica Krstic and the couple has two children named Vuk and Pera. He may be a towering NBA presence in the United States, but at home in Serbia, his heart belongs to his grandmother's cooking. In America? He's a steak man through and through.

The Chick-fil-A Free Throw Story That Broke the Internet

On a night in April 2024, during a Houston Rockets game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Boban Marjanović did something that no one expected — and that everyone immediately adored. The Clippers were running a promotional deal at their home games: if the opposing team missed both free throws in the fourth quarter, every fan in attendance would win a free Chick-fil-A Gift Card — or more accurately, a free Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich.

When Marjanović stepped to the line, he knew exactly what was at stake. And rather than convert the free throws — something he was perfectly capable of doing — he intentionally bricked both shots. After missing the second one, he turned to the crowd, held up a No. 1 finger, and appeared to mouth the words "chicken on me." The arena erupted.

According to Yahoo Sports, Boban finished that game with a respectable 13 points and 8 rebounds — so it wasn't a charitable evening for his stats alone. He played well and still found time to feed an entire fanbase. That's Boban in a nutshell.

The moment went viral almost instantly, spreading across social media as a rare, feel-good sports story in an era where those can be hard to come by. It highlighted something fans have always known: Boban Marjanović plays basketball because he loves the game and the people around it.

Boban's Greatest Viral Moments: A Career of Pure Charm

The Chick-fil-A story isn't Boban's first brush with viral fame. In fact, the man has built an entire side career out of being wonderfully, accidentally hilarious.

The Luka Doncic Photobomb That Wasn't

In February 2021, when Marjanović was playing for the Dallas Mavericks alongside superstar Luka Doncic, he decided to photobomb a postgame interview. There was just one problem: he was too tall. Even standing behind Doncic — who himself is a very respectable 6-foot-7 — Boban's face was completely out of the camera frame. The top of the screen caught maybe his chest. His head? Nowhere to be seen.

The clip, covered by FanSided, became an instant classic. Doncic's reaction — barely suppressing a grin — made it even better. This is the kind of content you simply cannot manufacture.

John Wick 3 and the Book Scene

Boban also ventured into Hollywood, appearing in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum as one of the film's formidable antagonists. His sheer size made him one of the most visually imposing villains in the franchise — and as Yahoo Sports noted, there was some very on-brand speculation about whether or not his character would be decapitated by a book. When you're 7-foot-4, even props become a hazard.

Gritty vs. Boban: The Tale of the Tape

When Marjanović was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers from the Los Angeles Clippers in February 2019, the city embraced him immediately — especially when Philly Voice published a "Tale of the Tape" comparison between Boban and Gritty, the Flyers' beloved, chaotic mascot. It was peak Philadelphia content, and it cemented Marjanović's status as a cult hero wherever he plays.

Boban's Basketball Legacy: More Than Just Moments

It would be easy to reduce Boban Marjanović to a series of charming viral clips, but his basketball credentials are genuinely impressive. Before making his NBA debut, Marjanović was a dominant force in European basketball, winning multiple league titles and establishing himself as one of the continent's most formidable big men.

Perhaps most impressively, Marjanović helped lead the Serbian national team to gold at the FIBA U19 World Championship — defeating a team that featured a young Steph Curry. Let that sink in. The same Boban who missed free throws on purpose to feed Clippers fans once helped Serbia beat a Steph Curry-led squad on the international stage.

His NBA career has been defined more by his role as a backup center than as a starter, but his impact on the teams and fanbases he's been part of extends far beyond statistics. His minutes may be limited, but his presence — literal and figurative — is always felt.

Why Fans Love Boban: The Human Side of a Giant

In professional sports, authenticity is rare. Athletes are coached to say the right things, avoid controversy, and protect their brand. Boban Marjanović never seemed to get that memo — and that's exactly why people adore him.

He photobombs interviews and ends up missing the shot entirely. He misses free throws on purpose so strangers can get free chicken sandwiches. He shows up in action movies and looks genuinely delighted to be there. He talks about his grandmother's cooking with the same reverence most players reserve for championship rings.

In an age of social media personas and carefully managed images, Boban is refreshingly, genuinely himself. And that self happens to be a 7-foot-4 Serbian man who wants everyone around him to have a great time. It's a formula that works every single time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Boban Marjanović

How tall is Boban Marjanović?

Boban Marjanović stands 7 feet 4 inches tall (2.24 meters), making him one of the tallest players in NBA history.

Why did Boban miss free throws on purpose?

During an April 2024 Houston Rockets game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Marjanović intentionally missed two consecutive free throws in the fourth quarter so that Clippers fans could claim free Chick-fil-A chicken sandwiches under a home-team promotional deal. After missing the second shot, he mouthed "chicken on me" to the crowd.

What teams has Boban Marjanović played for in the NBA?

Marjanović has played for the San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, and Houston Rockets over the course of his NBA career.

Has Boban Marjanović appeared in any movies?

Yes. Marjanović appeared in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019) as one of the film's villains, where his extraordinary size made him a memorable on-screen presence.

What is Boban Marjanović known for internationally?

Beyond the NBA, Marjanović is known for his success in European basketball and for helping Serbia win the FIBA U19 World Championship, defeating a team that included a young Steph Curry.

Conclusion: The NBA Needs More Boban

Boban Marjanović is a reminder of why sports, at their best, are about more than wins and losses. Whether he's handing an entire arena a reason to smile, accidentally failing to photobomb a camera because he's too tall to fit, or dominating international competition against future Hall of Famers, Boban brings something irreplaceable to the game.

The April 2024 Chick-fil-A free throw moment will be talked about for years — not because it was a spectacular athletic feat, but because it was a spectacularly human one. In a world that can always use a little more kindness, Boban Marjanović is the 7-foot-4 Serbian giant we didn't know we needed.

If you're a new fan looking to celebrate Boban's generosity, consider picking up a Chick-fil-A Gift Card of your own — it's the most Boban-approved way to spread the love.