[Saba Sports News] After achieving success in the National Basketball Association, Nikola Jokic is now turning his attention to the Olympic Games.
Renowned Serbian basketball coach Bozidar Maljkovic recently spoke with Juan Jimenez of the European outlet AS.com and discussed Serbia’s second-place finish at this year’s FIBA World Cup. Maljkovic, who serves as the president of the Olympic Committee of Serbia, disclosed that Denver Nuggets star Jokic will represent Serbia at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
“We were missing NBA MVP Nikola Jokic [at the FIBA World Cup],” stated Maljkovic, as reported by BasketNews. “Also, Vasilije Micic, the EuroLeague MVP, and Nikola Kalinic. I believe that we will unite and bring out the best in us, as is the case in all sports… In Paris, they will all be there, including Jokic. The Paris Games will be a celebration, and I am confident that Serbian sports will have significant representation.”
The return of the reigning Finals MVP Jokic to the national team is a significant development. He had previously been part of Serbia’s silver-medal-winning squad at the 2016 Olympics in Rio after just his second NBA season. However, Jokic has taken multiple extended breaks from international play since then, often due to the deep playoff runs of the Denver Nuggets.
While Jokic participated in Serbia’s campaigns at the 2019 FIBA World Cup and EuroBasket 2022, he opted out of this year’s FIBA World Cup after leading the Nuggets to an NBA championship.
Serbia already boasts several other current and former NBA players, such as Bogdan Bogdanovic, Nikola Jovic, and Marko Guduric. The addition of Jokic to the national team is exciting news, particularly with his major NBA rival also making significant moves in the Olympic arena.