Nuggets give NBA Draft workout to Nikola Jovic, yes Jovic, not Nikola Jokic
Jun 10, 2022, 3:44 PM
The Denver Nuggets hosted a group of NBA prospects on Friday, including 6-10 Serbian forward Nikola Jovic.
Yes, Nikola Jovic of Košarkaški klub Mega Basket out of Belgrade. He’s not to be confused with former KK Mega Basket draft prospect and now two-time NBA MVP, Nuggets Serbian star Nikola Jokic.
“When he was drafted, that’s the first time I actually heard his name,” Jovic said with a smile.”When I was young, I was a late bloomer, so I was not a great player. So when I started playing better and better, people said, “Oh, they have the same names.” Then I realized, oh it might be really confusing.
Jovic seemed to enjoy being the most popular Nikola in Denver for a day.
“It’s kind of funny to me the people always talking about our names,” he said. “I haven’t met him; I’ve always wanted to. I think he’s one of the best centers ever. Everything he does for the Nuggets and Serbia. I love him.”
While we know what Jokic means to Denver, Jovic knows better what Jokic means to Serbia.
“People in Serbia love basketball. For him to win two MVPs, all the kids, everybody wants to play basketball,” Jovic said. “Everyone is up late to watch him.”
Jovic is supposed to go somewhere around 20 in this year’s NBA Draft, and the Nuggets have the 21st pick. Names aside, Jovic does some solid things that could help Denver. He has size and playmaking skills and is more of a big guard. Now he doesn’t fill any of the Nuggets biggest needs, but he is an intriguing prospect.
Jovic will likely be more of a project than a straightaway impact guy. Still, The Ringer has him mocked to Denver right now, so an N & N frontcourt is not out of the question, and Jovic can finally meet one of his heroes—Jokic.
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