How Many Serbs Are in NBA?
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is one of the most popular sports leagues in the world. It is also home to some of the best basketball players in the world. Over the years, the league has seen a number of players from different countries and backgrounds. One of the countries that has been represented in the NBA is Serbia. So, how many Serbs are in the NBA?
Serbian Players in the NBA
The first Serbian player to make it to the NBA was Predrag “Peja” Stojaković. Peja was drafted by the Sacramento Kings in 1996 and went on to become a three-time NBA All-Star. He was also the first Serbian to win an NBA championship, when he won the title with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011.
Since then, a number of other Serbs have made it to the NBA. Some of the most notable Serbs in the league today are Nikola Jokić, Boban Marjanović, Nemanja Bjelica and Bogdan Bogdanović.
Serbian National Team
The Serbian National Team has also had a lot of success in international competitions. The team won the gold medal at the 2016 Olympics and the silver medal at the 2014 FIBA World Cup. The team also won the gold medal at the 2009 FIBA Europe Championship and the silver medal at the 2012 FIBA Europe Championship.
Serbian Players in the NBA Draft
The number of Serbian players that have been drafted into the NBA has been growing steadily over the years. In 2020, four Serbs were drafted into the NBA. These were Aleksej Pokuševski (Oklahoma City Thunder), Marko Simonović (Boston Celtics), Nikola Radičević (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Vasilije Micić (Brooklyn Nets).
Serbian Players in the NBA G League
The NBA G League is the official minor league of the NBA. It is a great place for aspiring players to hone their skills and make a name for themselves. A number of Serbian players have gone on to find success in the NBA G League, including Dejan Kravić, Ognjen Jaramaz, and Stefan Janković.
Serbian Players in the EuroLeague
The EuroLeague is Europe’s premier basketball league and is one of the most competitive leagues in the world. Many of Europe’s best players have come from Serbia, and some of them have gone on to find success in the EuroLeague. Some of the most notable Serbs in the EuroLeague include Nikola Kalinić, Vladimir Stimac, Marko Gudurić, and Marko Tejić.
Serbian Players in College Basketball
Serbs have also found success in college basketball. Some of the most notable Serbs in college basketball are Dragan Bender, Marko Arapović, and Ognjen Jaramaz. All three players have gone on to become first round NBA draft picks.
Serbian Players in High School Basketball
Serbian players have also found success in high school basketball. Some of the most notable Serbs in high school basketball are Aleksa Avramović, Nikola Vučević, and Aleksandar Katai. All three players have gone on to have successful college and professional basketball careers.
Serbian Players in Women’s Basketball
Serbian women have also found success in basketball. Some of the most notable Serbs in women’s basketball are Jelena Milovanović, Jelena Šarčević, and Ivana Todorović. All three players have gone on to have successful college and professional basketball careers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Serbia has been well-represented in the NBA, the NBA G League, the EuroLeague, college basketball, and women’s basketball. There are currently eight Serbs in the NBA and a number of others who have gone on to find success in the other leagues. With the success of Serbian players, it is likely that we will see more Serbs in the NBA in the future.