The Serbian basketball team confirmed that Nikola Jokic won't play for the squad at this summer's FIBA World Cup after leaving him off the 18-man training camp roster Monday.
A fine mixture of tradition and talented prospects 🌟#FIBAWC x #WinForSrbija 🇷🇸 pic.twitter.com/T4nusRa7Un
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) July 24, 2023
The five-time All-Star led the Denver Nuggets to their first-ever NBA title last month, averaging 30 points, 13.5 boards, and 9.5 assists during the club's postseason run.
Jokic was unanimously voted Finals MVP and tallied a league-record 10 triple-doubles during the playoffs. He also became the first player to lead the Association in points, rebounds, and assists in a single postseason.
Jokic suited up for Serbia last summer at the FIBA World Cup qualifiers and EuroBasket. It was the two-time MVP's first appearances for the national team in three years.
Serbia finished fifth at the previous World Cup despite having Jokic in the fold. The nation won the showpiece tournament twice when it was still part of Yugoslavia.
This year's training camp roster features four current NBA players - Bogdan Bogdanovic, Nikola Jovic, Filip Petrusev, and Aleksej Pokusevski.
Serbia is in Group B with South Sudan, China, and Puerto Rico. The country begins play Aug. 26.
