24/07/2023 19:51hs.
With just a few days to go before the start of the Basketball World Cup, the teams are putting together their preliminary lists. AND Serbia will not be able to count on their best player: Nikola Jokic. The Denver Nuggets pivot broke it throughout the season and was the MVP of the NBA finals, but You will not be able to say present at the World Cup with your team.
Svetislav Pesic, coach of Serbia, stated that “He is not physically and mentally ready to take responsibility in the way that is expected of him” and also lamented. “I admit that I am disappointed because some important players will not play, but our objectives are not going to change, we want to go to the Olympic Games at any cost”, commented the coach. The new captain will be Bogdanovic.
Hard loss for Serbia
The World Cup is approaching and the worst news a team can receive is the loss of its best player. And that happened to Serbia, which regrets the absence of Jokic. Now, the new captain of the Serbian team is Bogdan Bogdanovic, shooting guard for the Atlanta Hawks. But he will not be the only player in the NBA, but he will be accompanied by Nikola Jovic (Miami Heat), Filip Petrusev (Philadelphia 76ERS) y Alexey Pokusevski (Oklahoma City Thunder).
But he is missing, Nikola Jokic. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
In any case, Jokic’s loss is very bad news. However, the coach of the national team asked for support for the players called up, since “they have courage, knowledge and talent”. In addition, he announced a series of friendlies against Bosnia-Herzegovina, Poland and Montenegro, followed by a duel against Puerto Rico in Belgrade and two friendlies in China.
He also mentioned the possibility that some more casualties will be added as Pokusevski y Jaramazfor injuries, or Jovicdue to a family problem, but that his desire is to play.
Another NBA player can be added as low. (Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports)
Besides, the final list of 12 players will be announced on August 24, shortly after the start of the World Cup. Remember that the tournament will be held from August 25 to September 10 in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines. Serbia is in group B, with China, Puerto Rico and South Sudan.
Wembanyama, another who does not play the World Cup
Another team that received bad news was France, which will not have Victor Wembanyama, chosen in the first position of the NBA draft by San Antonio Spurs. The French assured that he will stay in the United States preparing for his rookie season.
He prefers to continue preparing. (AP Photo/John Locher)
He was already absent from the U19 World Cup in Hungary and a few weeks ago he confirmed his absence from the World Cup that will begin in August. France will be in Group H along with Canada, Latvia and Lebanon in the world contest.
2023-07-24 19:51:15
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