NBA Future Watch: Nikola Jovic Basketball Cards, Draft ProspectNBA Future Watch: Nikola Jovic Basketball Cards, Draft Prospect Nikola Jovic was rated the best international prospect in a survey of NBA general managers for the 2021-22 season. A 6’10” combo forward from Serbia, who has also played shooting guard, Jovic is a polished scorer and playmaker with lane-driving and defensive skills that belie his apparent athleticism and establish him as one of the most intriguing all-around prospects in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Lazy comparisons fly like pollen at this time of year. Jovic’s name being only one consonant removed from the NBA’s best big-man passer and 2021 MVP, Denver’s Joker, causing many pundits to get ahead of themselves should be no surprise. That said, a player with Jovic’s resilience will not be intimidated by shallow comparisons.

A second-generation hoops player, Jovic grew up also playing water polo in his homeland. Committing to the hardcourt, Jovic progressed through the KK Sava youth system before transferring to the Mega Basket organization. Breaking through at the 2020–21 Euroleague Basketball Next Generation Tournament with MVP honors behind 29.3 PPG and 10.3 RPG, Jovic served notice that he was ready for the pro game.

Joining the Mega Basket team in the Adriatic Basketball Association in the winter of 2021 at the ripe age of 17, Jovic was equal to the challenge. While European basketball numbers are historically poor for projecting NBA production due to smaller opportunities for the younger players, the big man showed great promise. With 11.7 PPG (behind .361 3% and .753 FT%), 3.7 RPG, 3.0 APG, 0.5 SPG and 0.4 BPG, the flashes of all-around game were quite apparent.

Of course, for top prospects, the best apples-to-apples comparisons often come from chances to play against top peers. Jovic has excelled by this metric, with MVP honors in the 2021 Adidas Next Generation Tournament, 2021 Serbian Junior League Finals and 2021 Adriatic League ABA U19 Championship. He also earned All-Tournament team designation at the 2021 FIBA World U19 Championships and recognition as the 2021-22 Adriatic League Top Young Prospect.

Like the famous Nikola from Serbia before him, Jovic’s early days as a point guard paved the way for top-notch passing from the frontcourt. Work on body-sculpting remains ongoing, with the goal of improving on both sides of the ball in one-on-one situations. A natural plug-and-play talent for multiple systems Jovic figures to obtain opportunities faster than many in his draft class with a ceiling that also surpasses many of his peers.

NBA Future Watch: Nikola Jovic Basketball Cards, Draft Prospect – Stats

NBA Future Watch: Nikola Jovic Basketball Cards, Draft Prospect

 

NBA Future Watch: Nikola Jovic Basketball Cards, Draft Prospect – More Resources

Rick Morris

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