NBA champion and 2022-23 Finals MVP Nikola Jokic is set to skip the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2023 for the Serbian national team as per reports. Jokic carried the Denver Nuggets to the team's first NBA title in history by beating Miami Heat with a 4-1 margin.
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The series was level at 1-1 before the Jokic-led Nuggets won three straight games to clinch the 2022-23 NBA title. Joker was unanimously voted the NBA MVP as he averaged 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.4 blocks while shooting 58.3% from the field and 42.1% from the 3-point line.
But after a long and hectic NBA season, Nikola Jokic has reportedly decided to skip the FIBA World Cup 2023. The marquee basketball event will be hosted by the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia from August 25 to September 10.
As per a development reported by Dejan Stankovic of Mozzart Sport, Serbian coach Svetislav Pešić and Team captain Bogdan Bogdanovic tried persuading Jokic into playing. But the Nuggets centre decided to rest himself before the start of the 2023-24 NBA season. Similarly, reports of Barcelona's Nikola Kalinic, also deciding to skip the World Cup have surfaced.
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Further two-time EuroLeague champion Vasilije Micic, after joining the Oklahoma City Thunder, is also doubtful to be on the team. The official Serbian roster for the World Cup will be released at a press conference attended by coach Svetislav Pesic and Bogdanovic on Monday.
