The road to EuroBasket continues to be dramatic, as one Utah Jazz star got called out by his coach for his conditioning.
As the NBA offseason enters its final two months, fans around the world are starved of great basketball. Luckily for them, they don’t have to wait long, as the EuroBasket tournament tips off soon.
Many teams have begun playing warm-up games ahead of the prestigious tournament. Luka Doncic already impressed fans with his performance with Slovenia.
The same can be said for Nikola Jokic, who dominated in Serbia’s first warm-up game. Several of the NBA’s biggest names are showing off their skills in these games.
But not every NBA player has impressed for their national team. In fact, one star got called out publicly by his coach for his physical conditioning.
Photo by Soobum Im/Getty ImagesBosnia and Herzegovina head coach calls out Jusuf Nurkic for poor shape
Coming into the 2025 EuroBasket tournament, the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team have struggled to find momentum. Two losses to Serbia and Montenegro in warm-up games are not a good sign.
Head coach Adis Beciragic is livid with his team, singling out Jusuf Nurkic by name for being in poor shape ahead of the tournament.
“[Jusuf] Nurkic is out of shape and can barely run.” (Via BasketNews)
Despite the loss against Montenegro, Nurkic did put some strong numbers. He scored 15 points, trying his best to keep up with Nikola Vucevic in the paint.
But if his head coach isn’t happy with his conditioning, Nurkic must do everything in his power to get in better shape before the tournament begins.
Utah Jazz stars experiencing contrasting fortunes so far
While Jusuf Nurkic is struggling to meet expectations with the Bosnian national team, the same cannot be said for his Utah Jazz teammate, Lauri Markkanen.
Markkanen was brilliant in Finland’s warm-up game, scoring 48 points against Belgium. This contrast in fortunes just goes to show where both these players are in their careers.
Nurkic has been a journeyman in the NBA, playing for several different teams. And while he found great success, his time as a regular fixture in the league might be coming to an end, as he struggles to overcome his brutal injury from 2019.
As for Lauri Markkanen, many feel that he is knocking on the door of superstardom and just needs a move out of Utah to accomplish his goal.
Life in the NBA, especially for international players, can be very difficult. Hopefully, Nurkic can turn things around while Lauri keeps his good form going into EuroBasket 2025.