By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Although the Miami Heat’s NBA season ended earlier than expected, Serbian national team player Nikola Jović hasn’t wasted a single moment.
The 21-year-old forward has been training individually for three months, and in a conversation with Meridian Sport, he revealed that he’s fully prepared — both physically and mentally — for what lies ahead.
“I’ve been training individually for a long time now. The season ended pretty early for Miami. We did make the playoffs, which was really important to us, but I’ve been here since May 1st. It’s been three months. I’ve literally been training since May 5th, only took a seven-day break. I’m already tired,” Jović said before adding: “I’m already ready!”
His excitement and passion for playing with the national team haven’t changed.
“Everything’s the same! I always feel the excitement. I truly live for these competitions. That’s the pinnacle of any player’s career — playing in major tournaments for your national team, whether it’s the European Championship, the World Cup, or the Olympics. Every competition is equally big for me. As always, we’re hoping for the best result and doing our best to perform at the highest level.”
Jović understands the value of summer basketball with the national team — both emotionally and professionally.
“Of course, it definitely helps. There’s a long gap between two NBA seasons, especially if you’re not in the playoffs. That can be three, four, even five months without playing. This way, I enter the season already in game rhythm, and when I return to the NBA, I just continue maintaining my conditioning.”
The 2024 Paris Olympics left Jović with mixed emotions. He contributed as much as he could, but circumstances weren’t on his side.
“How could I not feel bad? It’s kind of like… like I…” he paused. “I can’t say I was a burden to the team, but I couldn’t help enough. I managed to play a bit, but then I got sick over there and couldn’t play at all. Sometimes I even forget that I made it into the lineup coming off a broken foot. When we gathered, I arrived wearing a boot. I took it off and practically played right away. The people in Miami were the first ones who didn’t like that, but I just couldn’t skip that tournament. Now I’m healthy, and that’s the most important thing to me. Everything else will fall into place. Because, if nothing else, at least I know I can physically handle the challenges.”
That kind of mentality — to always show up, to always be available — is one of the reasons the Miami Heat values Jović so highly.
“I’m sure it’s not easy for them, just like for other NBA teams. You’re letting someone play for their country, paying them a lot of money, and they’re important to you. An injury would definitely be a setback for them. But, by chance — and to my great fortune — I’m part of the Miami team that had Goran Dragić. They say themselves that he always came back better from international tournaments [with Slovenia]. It’s an honor and a pleasure for them to let me play for Serbia. Of course, it all starts with me — I’m always the one who would give anything to play. And the fact that they support me and want me to be with Serbia only gives me more motivation. And it makes it easier for me,” Jović concluded.