Darko Milicic officially became an adult Friday. But this boy's life ended -- and a young man's began -- several years ago, long before the NBA riches were at hand.

Milicic (pronounced MIL-eh-CHIK), a 7-foot Serbian teenager whom the Pistons are expected to take with the second overall pick in Thursday's NBA draft, celebrated his 18th birthday this week in New York, where he has been living since his arrival in the United States on May 19.

He celebrated with a birthday dinner, joined by agent Marc Cornstein and his wife, Natasha, and their families, as well as fellow European draft prospects -- and Cornstein clients -- Aleksandar Pavlovic, Slavko Vranes and Zoran Planinic. They also welcomed a special guest Friday night: Milicic's father, Milorad, made the long trip from Novi Sad, Serbia and Montenegro, to be with his son, who a few days from now will become the highest drafted European in NBA history.