MANILA, Philippines – One less star in Manila.
Serbian superstar and NBA champion Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets is likely to sit out the coming 2023 FIBA World Cup here in the Philippines, according to multiple international reports.
The two-time NBA MVP, as first reported by Mozzart Sports, will be taking the summer off to rest and prepare for Denver’s title defense next season.
Jokic, the 6-foot-11 big man, played in the 2019 World Cup in Spain, where Serbia finished fifth in a solid campaign that included a 94-89 win over the mighty Team USA in the classification match.
Serbia, under the watch of coach Svetislav Pesic, is yet to release an official pool for the 32-team world championship but Jokic’s possible absence could hurt the team’s chances as one of the title favorites.
Aside from Jokic, Barcelona’s Nikola Kalinic and two-time EuroBasket champion Vasilije Micic are also doubtful for Serbia which finished runner-up to the USA in the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.
Jokic’s potential absence would add to the growing list of basketball stars skipping the World Cup after fellow two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo of Greece and a chunk of American stars led by LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant.
The Philippines will co-host the World Cup with Japan and Indonesia with Serbia, Greece and the United States, which will parade a young team, all being assigned in Manila.
Serbia is with China, South Sudan and Puerto Rico in Group B which is designated to play at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City while USA and Greece are with Jordan and New Zealand in Group C at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Host Philippines headlines Group A with Italy, Angola and Dominican Republic, also at the Big Dome.