By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Mario Nakic underwent knee surgery, as announced by Partizan Mozzart Bet on Saturday.
A successful operation in Innsbruck was on the anterior cruciate ligament, as noted by the team based in Belgrade. He was sidelined indefinitely.
The 24-year-old small forward was injured in Game 3 of a best-of-three series opposite FMP Soccerbet in the Semifinals of the AdmiralBet Basketball League of Serbia Playoffs 2025, on June 19. He initially returned but was later forced to exit the game. His side went on to pick up a series-clinching win and sweep Spartak Office Shoes in the Finals to capture the domestic league championship for the first time since 2014 and ninth overall in team history.
Last August, the Belgrade native reunited with his hometown and junior team. Returning to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague following three appearances with Real Madrid in 2020, he logged 12 games played, including three starts under the guidance of Zeljko Obradovic. Lasting 8:36 per game, he averaged 2.1 points, 1.0 rebounds, 0.2 assists, and 0.2 steals per contest. At 16-18, Partizan ranked 12th, two games outside the Play-In Showdown picture.
Before closing the 2024-25 season as the Serbian champion, Partizan also celebrated a record-breaking eighth title in the AdmiralBet ABA League. Nakic produced 5.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per contest over 19 games at the regional level.
Beyond the club level and opting to represent Serbia in international action, he earned two caps in the EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net