Despite missing the chance to lead the Denver Nuggets to a championship defense this year, Nikola Jokic, a three-time NBA MVP in the last four years, is set to return to the Olympic stage after an eight-year hiatus. Jokic is listed in the 16-man roster for the Serbian national team, announced today, alongside players like Nikola Jovic of the Miami Heat and Bogdan Bogdanovic of the Atlanta Hawks.
Jokic’s Return to National Duty
Jokic last represented Serbia in the 2022 EuroBasket. For the past two years, he opted out of national team duties due to the Denver Nuggets’ extended playoff runs. However, with the Nuggets being eliminated in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs this year by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jokic is now available for the Serbian Olympic team.
Key Players in the Serbian Roster
The Serbian national team roster includes several notable players:
| Player | NBA Team |
|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic | Denver Nuggets |
| Nikola Jovic | Miami Heat |
| Bogdan Bogdanovic | Atlanta Hawks |
| Vasilije Micic | Charlotte Hornets |
| Aleksej Pokusevski | Oklahoma City Thunder |
Serbia is grouped with the United States and South Sudan in the Paris Olympics, with one more team yet to be determined. Their first match will be a challenging one against the defending champions, Team USA.
Serbia’s Olympic History
Serbia has won two Olympic silver medals in the past (excluding the Yugoslavian era). However, they did not qualify for the last Olympic Games in Tokyo. In the 2016 Rio Olympics, a then 21-year-old Jokic was the youngest player on the Serbian team. He played in all eight games, starting in two, and averaged 22.5 minutes per game. Jokic contributed significantly with averages of 9.1 points, 6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, boasting the highest efficiency rating on the team.
Serbia looks forward to Jokic’s return as they aim to make a strong impact in the upcoming Paris Olympics.(FADA888)