Who Plays for Serbia Basketball?
Basketball is a popular sport throughout the world, with Serbia being no exception. Teams from Serbia have seen great success in international competitions, with the Serbian national team winning a gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics and two gold medals at the FIBA World Cup in 2014 and 2018. With such a strong basketball heritage, it is no surprise that many talented players from Serbia have made their mark on the sport.
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Notable Players from Serbia
Serbia has produced many great players who have gone on to have successful careers in the NBA and elsewhere. Some of the most notable players from Serbia include:
- Vlade Divac – one of the most iconic players in Serbia’s basketball history, Divac was a two-time All-Star and won a gold medal at the 1998 FIBA World Cup.
- Peja Stojakovic – the first European-born player to win the NBA 3-point shootout, Stojakovic was also a three-time All-Star and won a gold medal at the 2002 FIBA World Cup.
- Milos Teodosic – an eight-time All-Star in the Euroleague, Teodosic was also a two-time Euroleague MVP and a gold medalist at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
- Nikola Jokic – one of the best players in the NBA today, Jokic has been an All-Star in each of the last three seasons and is a key member of the Denver Nuggets.
- Nemanja Bjelica – a three-time All-Star in the Euroleague, Bjelica was also a gold medalist at the 2014 FIBA World Cup and is currently playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Notable Serbian Basketball Teams
Serbia is home to many great basketball teams, including some of the most successful clubs in Europe. Some of the most notable teams from Serbia include:
- Crvena Zvezda – one of the most successful teams in Serbia, Crvena Zvezda has won 11 national championships and 15 national cups.
- Partizan Belgrade – Partizan has won 16 national championships and 12 national cups, making them one of the most successful teams in Serbia.
- KK FMP – an up-and-coming team, KK FMP has won two national cups and reached the Eurocup quarterfinals in 2018.
- KK Dynamic – Dynamic has won two national championships and two national cups, and have been a regular in the Euroleague.
- KK Borac Čačak – Borac has won three national championships and one national cup, and have been a regular in the Eurocup.
Serbia in International Competitions
The Serbian national team has had great success in international competitions, winning multiple medals in the FIBA World Cup and the Olympics.
- FIBA World Cup – Serbia won gold medals in 2014 and 2018, and a bronze medal in 2019.
- Olympic Games – Serbia won a gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics and a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
- FIBA EuroBasket – Serbia won a silver medal in 2005 and a bronze medal in 2009.
Serbian Players in the NBA
Several Serbian players have gone on to have successful careers in the NBA. Some of the most notable players include:
- Nikola Jokic – drafted by the Denver Nuggets in 2014, Jokic is one of the best players in the NBA today and was named an All-Star in each of the last three seasons.
- Bogdan Bogdanovic – drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 2014, Bogdanovic is currently playing for the Sacramento Kings and was named an All-Star in 2019.
- Boban Marjanovic – drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in 2015, Marjanovic is currently playing for the Los Angeles Clippers and is a key contributor off the bench.
- Nemanja Bjelica – drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2015, Bjelica is currently playing for the Sacramento Kings and was named an All-Star in 2017.
- Milos Teodosic – drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2017, Teodosic is currently playing for the Sacramento Kings and is a key contributor off the bench.
Serbian Players in Europe
In addition to the players who have gone on to play in the NBA, there are many Serbian players who have had successful careers in Europe. Some of the most notable players include:
- Nemanja Nedovic – an eight-time All-Star in the Euroleague, Nedovic is currently playing for CSKA Moscow and was named Euroleague MVP in 2015.
- Stefan Jovic – a three-time All-Star in the Euroleague, Jovic is currently playing for Olympiacos and was named Euroleague MVP in 2020.
- Bogdan Bogdanovic – a two-time All-Star in the Euroleague, Bogdanovic is currently playing for Fenerbahce and was named Euroleague MVP in 2014.
- Milan Macvan – a two-time All-Star in the Euroleague, Macvan is currently playing for Anadolu Efes and was named Euroleague MVP in 2012.
- Vladimir Stimac – a two-time All-Star in the Euroleague, Stimac is currently playing for Real Madrid and was named Euroleague MVP in 2011.
Serbian Coaches in the NBA
In addition to the players, there are also several Serbian coaches in the NBA. Some of the most notable coaches include:
- Igor Kokoskov – the first European head coach in the NBA, Kokoskov was the head coach of the Phoenix Suns from 2018 to 2019.
- Aleksandar Djordjevic – the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets since 2019, Djordjevic has also been the head coach of the Serbian national team since 2017.
- Sasa Obradovic – the head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers since 2019, Obradovic has also been the head coach of the Panathinaikos since 2014.
- Vladimir Jankovic – the assistant coach for the Orlando Magic since 2017, Jankovic has also been an assistant coach for the Serbian national team since 2017.
- Alex Sceberras – the assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers since 2017, Sceberras has also been an assistant coach for the Serbian national team since 2016.
Conclusion
Serbia is one of the most successful basketball nations in the world, with many talented players and coaches having made their mark on the sport. From Vlade Divac to Nikola Jokic, Serbia has produced some of the greatest players in basketball history. Serbia’s teams have also been successful in international competitions, with the national team winning multiple medals in the FIBA World Cup and the Olympics. With so much talent coming out of Serbia, it is no surprise that the country has become a powerhouse in the sport of basketball.