By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Prior to the 2025/26 NBA season, the Miami Heat and Jovic agreed to a four-year rookie extension, signaling the team’s high expectations for the Serbian forward.
Niko has delivered some strong performances early in the season, but has also had difficult games, such as a loss to the New York Knicks where he finished with just three points, four rebounds, and four assists, along with five personal fouls in 13 minutes.
Despite the inconsistencies, he remains a valuable asset, and coach Erik Spoelstra expressed strong faith in him, noting that part of the ups and downs is due to Jovic being only 22 years old.
“I love Niko, and I love his potential. I have to be reminded all the time that he’s 22. I want him to be 28 right now. We understand we have to be patient with him and Kel’el. But I’m going to be very impatient with them, as well,” Spoelstra said.
He continued praising Jovic’s development:
“Our ceiling goes so much higher when there’s consistency in Niko’s game. He is extremely versatile on both ends of the court, really locked in, paying attention to details, giving maximum effort, and connecting the dots. That comes from film sessions, shootarounds, doing every rep like it really matters, then practices, time with the coaches in between—that prepares you to be ready to rock.”
Spoelstra also highlighted the role of the Serbian national team experience:
“He’s made significant strides. With us, being with the Serbian national team and the expectations to win—not just having the potential of young players—he’s the only young player on that team, and that helped speed it up. He is making progress; he’ll get there. It’s been a little bit of an uneven start, but he’ll get to the point where there’s more consistency,” Erik Spoelstra concluded.