By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
The NIL deals are about to get one more great talent to the US for an insane amount of money.
It was already reported that the Serb Nikola Kusturica is about to leave Barcelona for the NCAA, and according to MeridianSports, his destination will be UCLA, with a two-year deal paying him $12M.
By comparison, this money in Europe would put him at least in the Top 10 among the best-paid EuroLeague players, and no team would offer such a contract to a teenager.
Barcelona had hoped to keep Kusturica for another season and planned to give him a significant role under the team’s new coaching staff, but growing interest from American colleges has changed those plans.
It has to be noted that Serbian coach Nemanja Jovanovic also works at UCLA, and he is part of the Serbian national team coaching staff.
Kusturica has been one of Serbia’s standout performers at the U17 World Cup, averaging 18 points, two blocks and two steals through the opening two games, further strengthening his reputation as one of the tournament’s brightest talents.
Make