Nikola Vucevic signs up for Montenegro's World Cup challenge / News - Basketnews.com

Nikola Vucevic will play with Montenegro in the World Cup, thus making his national team comeback after four years.

Credit: imago images / Xinhua Credit imago images / Xinhua

Nikola Vucevic's participation with Montenegro in the upcoming FIBA World Cup in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines had largely been up in the air for quite some time.

But now every dilemma has been resolved since the Chicago Bulls superstar will wear his national team's jersey this summer. This was confirmed for the Montenegrin media by coach Bosko Radovic.

"I had a very positive conversation with Nikola. He will be available this summer, he will be preparing and he will play in the World Cup. There is a possibility that he will be with us from the beginning of the preparation," Radovic said about the two-time All-Star (2019, 2021).

This is extremely important news for Montenegro, who will play the group stage in Pasay of the Philippines, joining Egypt, Lithuania and Mexico in Group D. The tournament tips off on August 25 and wraps up on September 10.

Vucevic played for Montenegro at the 2011, 2013 and 2017 EuroBaskets, as well as at the 2019 World Cup in China.

The 32-year-old Montenegrin center signed the four-year, $100 million contract with the Bulls in 2019. Vucevic averaged 17.6 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists over 82 regular-season games in 2022-23.

Vucevic was selected 16th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2011 NBA draft, where he spent just one season. For the majority of his career, he played for the Orlando Magic (2012-21), which traded him to the Bulls during the 2020-21 season.

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