By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
‘VITORIA-GASTEIZ– Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic has yet to make a decision on whether he will join the Serbian national team in the upcoming World Cup tournament held n China (31/8-15/9).
Former Serbian Federation president Dragan Kapicic criticized Jokic, saying that he would never call him again to the national team, if he refuses to play now. Others, like Fenerbahce Beko and Serbian national team forward Nikola Kalinic, have been more understanding to the player’s situation.
And so is Serbian basketball legend Dusan Ivkovic.
“I personally think that all the players wants to play,” Ivkovic told Eurohoops. “What’s hidden behind their decision is another thing. For example, If the Nuggets coach [Mike Malone] tells him that he must rest, he brings the player to a difficult situation. I know that Nikola Jokic would definitely like to play for the national team. Whether he does it or not, I don’t know.”
Jokic, 24, hasn’t played in a major tournament with Serbia since the 2016 Olympic Games. He skipped the 2017 EuroBasket to spend offseason working out and training in his home country.