The EuroBasket tournament is just over a month away, and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has reportedly come to a decision on his intention to play for his home nation of Serbia in the international competition.
According to a report from Meridian Sport, the three-time NBA MVP is “expected” to join his national team for the tournament in August. This would be the first time in Jokic’s career that he’s played in an international competition for Serbia in back-to-back summers. He was dominant in the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024, as his efforts led Serbia to a bronze medal after they took down defending world champion Germany and were just minutes away from upsetting the United States team that drew comparisons to the 1992 Dream Team.
Jokic averaged 18.8 points, 10.7 rebounds (tournament best)and 8.7 assists (tournament best) in six games. He posted two triple doubles in those six games, and would’ve scored more points if his 3-point shot didn’t go ice cold on him, as he finished the Games shooting under 17% from distance.
The Serbian superstar is also expected to be joined by fellow NBA players Bogdan Bogdanovic (who Jokic beat in seven games in the first round of the playoffs) and Vasilije Micic, who is a former EuroLeague MVP that was recently bought out by the Milwaukee Bucks, essentially ending his time in the league.
After the Nuggets were eliminated from the playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jokic wasn’t sure if he’d play in this tournament, but did credit the Olympics last year for getting him ready to roll for that upcoming season, which could’ve factored into his decision.
Nikola Jokic believes the Olympics made him better and he may play for Serbia this summer in the European championships pic.twitter.com/Xp2yuFOtXG
— Jake Shapiro (@Shapalicious) May 18, 2025
Jokic has more international travel on the books before the EuroBasket tournament and Nuggets training camp get underway, as he’s headed to China later this week for a nationwide tour with his shoe brand, 361 Degrees.
He’ll be in one of the biggest countries in the world from the 17th to the 21st of July, hitting six different cities on the tour.
Jokic is looking to lead Serbia to its first gold medal in an international tournament since the 2022 World Championship, and the nation’s first gold medal in EuroBasket since 2001.
Jonas Valanciunas will also be playing in the tournament, as he will be representing his home nation of Lithuania when play gets underway at the end of August. A potential matchup between the Nuggets’ centers would have to come in the knockout round, as Serbia is in Group A while Lithuania is in Group B.
