NBA MVP Nikola Jokic is set to grace the EuroBasket 2025 tournament, leading a formidable Serbian national team. After a strong showing in the NBA, the Denver Nuggets superstar has committed to representing his country, aiming to secure a major international title for Serbia.
Jokic Headlines Star-Studded Serbian Roster
Nikola Jokic, a three-time NBA MVP, headlines Serbia’s preliminary 17-player roster for EuroBasket 2025. The announcement was made by head coach Svetislav Pesic, confirming earlier projections. This marks a significant boost for Serbia’s aspirations in the tournament.
- Key NBA Talent: Alongside Jokic, the roster features other NBA players including Nikola Topic (Oklahoma City Thunder), Bogdan Bogdanovic (Los Angeles Clippers), Nikola Jovic (Miami Heat), and Tristan Vukcevic (Washington Wizards).
- Experienced Core: The team also includes established European stars like Vasilije Micic, who recently signed a lucrative deal with Hapoel Tel Aviv, and other seasoned players.
- Newcomers: Tristan Vukcevic has opted to represent Serbia internationally, and Nikola Topic is set to make his senior national team debut.
Serbia’s EuroBasket 2025 Campaign
Serbia has been placed in Group A for the EuroBasket 2025, with all group stage games scheduled to be held in Riga, Latvia. Their opponents in the group stage include Estonia, Portugal, Latvia, Czechia, and Turkey.
Serbia’s preliminary roster for EuroBasket 2025:
- Aleksa Avramovic (Dubai)
- Bogdan Bogdanovic (Los Angeles Clippers)
- Dejan Davidovac (Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet)
- Ognjen Dobric (Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet)
- Marko Guduric (EA7 Emporio Armani Milan)
- Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
- Nikola Jovic (Miami Heat)
- Stefan Jovic
- Balsa Koprivica (Bahcesehir)
- Vanja Marinkovic (Partizan Mozzart Bet)
- Vasilije Micic (Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv)
- Nikola Milutinov (Olympiacos)
- Filip Petrusev (Dubai)
- Alen Smailagic (Virtus Segafredo Bologna)
- Nikola Topic (Oklahoma City Thunder)
- Uros Trifunovic (Tofas)
- Tristan Vukcevic (Washington Wizards)
Road to the Tournament
The Serbian national team will commence their preparations in Stara Pazova, followed by a series of exhibition games and warm-up tournaments to foster team chemistry. A highly anticipated friendly match against Slovenia is scheduled for August 21 at the Belgrade Arena.
Serbia’s group stage schedule:
- August 27: vs. Estonia
- August 29: vs. Portugal
- August 30: vs. Latvia
- September 1: vs. Czechia
- September 3: vs. Turkey
Coach’s Perspective and Team Goals
Head coach Svetislav Pesic expressed his confidence in the team’s potential. He also addressed the absence of Nikola Djurisic from the preliminary roster, citing the need for rest and the abundance of experienced players in his position. Serbia aims to win the EuroBasket title, a feat they haven’t achieved since 2001 as part of Yugoslavia.
Sources
- Nikola Jokic headlines Serbian NT pre-selection, Tristan Vukcevic among newcomers, Eurohoops.
- Nikola Jokic on Serbia’s list for the Eurobasket, HoopsHype.
- Serbia EuroBasket 2025: roster, schedule and scores, BasketNews.com.
- Serbia coach Pesic explains Nikola Djurisic’s absence from EuroBasket preliminary roster, Eurohoops.
- Nikola Jokic headlines Serbia’s star-studded EuroBasket roster announced by Svetislav Pesic, basketballsphere.com.
