Vasilije Micic looks ahead to EuroBasket 2025 with Serbia and reflects on the NBA MVP race, saying he would have been happier if Nikola Jokic had won, though he praises Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as an "unbelievable" player.
After a quiet NBA season and a trade to the Phoenix Suns, Vasilije Micic is now setting his sights on the FIBA EuroBasket 2025, where he plans to suit up for Serbia.
"Of course, I want to play so much," he said at the EuroLeague Final Four event. "Last year, we had a great time together, we always had a good time together as a national team, but this year will hopefully be even better, because it is supposed to be our second year together."
Injuries, however, remain a concern.
"We always miss somebody," Micic added. "Unfortunately, injuries are the main issue, but if everybody comes, it will be an amazing time together, and hopefully, we will have some good results."
When asked whether Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic will join the team, Micic was careful not to speculate.
"In the last ten years, he gave his statements on his own, so I cannot say that," Micic said. "He has his own visions of life and everything. I hope he will be with us."
Credit Aris Messinis/AFP - Scanpix
Another topic involving Jokic was the recent NBA MVP announcement
Despite averaging a triple-double of 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists during the 2024-25 regular season, the MVP title went to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Micic's former teammate with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2023–24.
"I feel he [Jokic] deserves it [MVP award], but to be honest, I met Shai and I played with Shai. He's also an unbelievable player. So if Jokic had won, I would be happier," Micic noted.
So what makes Gilgeous-Alexander so special?
"Everything. He's really different when you experience him as a player than what people see on TV," Micic explained. "He's a killer. Literally killer."
Pijus Sapetka
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