Nikola Jokic's family celebration raises doubts about FIBA World Cup participation / News - Basketnews.com

Nikola Jokic's family celebration clashes with FIBA World Cup 2023. His status is unclear.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Serbian NT head coach Svetislav Pesic has included NBA champion Nikola Jokic, the country's biggest basketball star, in the list of candidates for the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2023.

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"Jokic is on the representative list, as are the other candidates," Pesic told Rada Nikolic from SportKlub Srbija on Tuesday.

However, Jokic's availability for the tournament remains uncertain due to a family celebration he intends to attend, as reported by Joe Vardon of The Athletic.

An NBA insider writes that the dates for the FIBA World Cup 2023 coincide with Jokic's commitment to family, scheduled between August 25 and September 10, therefore his status with the Serbian team is unclear.

During the 2023 NBA Finals, Jokic declined to comment on his status with the Serbian team when questioned by reporters.

As of now, only an injury or a personal decision from Jokic himself would result in his absence from the World Cup.

Jokic, the All-Star center for the Denver Nuggets and the NBA Finals MVP, previously participated in the World Cup in China, where he averaged 11.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists across eight games.

He also represented Serbia in the FIBA EuroBasket 2022, averaging an impressive double-double of 21.7 points and 10.0 rebounds. Despite Jokic's contributions, Serbia failed to secure medals in both tournaments.

Jokic has a silver accolade in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

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