By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Following Denver’s elimination in the Western Conference Semi-Finals by the Minnesota Timberwolves, there’s time to rest for Nikola Jokic ahead of the appointment in the summer with Serbia.
The Serbian dominator, inserted into the All-NBA First Team for another season, should represent his country at the biggest event of the year, with his national team set to play in Group B with Estonia, Latvia, Portugal, Czechia, and Turkiye, hoping to prolong their stay in Riga.
Interviewed by Meridian Sport during the EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi, Serbia’s head coach Svetislav Pesic touched on several topics, including the progress of his superstar.
Can Serbia count on Nikola Jokic’s experience this summer?
“Above all, on quality and knowledge. Well, yes, on experience too—he’s already… He’s progressing every season. Last year, he improved his transition play, both in offense and defense. Now he’s shooting more three-pointers, even though he could do that before, too,” he said.
“Those are the traits of the greatest players – that every year you see something new in their game. From top players, something new is always expected in each following season,” he commented.
Back at EuroBasket 2022, Nikola Jokic put up 21.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game for Serbia, but the team couldn’t extend their run in the competition further than the Eight-Finals, being eliminated by the Italian national team.
Lastly, in six games at the Olympic Games last summer in France, he averaged 18.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game to lead the Serbian national team to the bronze medal.