After Serbia’s Olympic basketball victory over Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic provided an encouraging report on his damaged foot.
He also disclosed that Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra and the front office agreed to him playing in the Olympics, despite reports before to the 2024 games that he would have to withdraw due to his injuries.
“I’m doing great,” Jovic stated. “I haven’t done much, but I genuinely wanted to be on the team, and Coach Spo and everyone in the front office were fine with it. The imagery was excellent. My foot looked excellent. Maybe I’m not in the ideal shape right now, but when I get on the court, the adrenaline and everything brings out the best in me. I’ll do everything I can to help our club win, and I’ll definitely be ready for the season.”
Jovic scored 10 points off the bench for Serbia on Wednesday, going 4-for-7 from the field and 1-for-3 from beyond the arc. He also had three rebounds and two assists in the 107-66 win.
Serbia rebounded strongly on Wednesday after losing to Team USA in its opening game at the 2024 Olympics, keeping its hopes of reaching to the quarterfinals after the group phase is completed. Serbia has one more game in Group C, against South Sudan, on August 3.
Jovic’s good health and performance with Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic in the Olympics are wonderful news for the Heat. The former first-round choice is earning vital Olympic experience, and the Heat are hopeful he will continue to improve and aid them in the 2024-25 season.
Last season, the 21-year-old played 46 games and made 38 starts for the Heat. Jovic averaged 7.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists a game for Miami, shooting 45.2% from the field and 39.9% from three.
Jovic also started all five postseason games for Miami, indicating that he has earned some faith in Spoelstra’s rotation.
Jovic, the No. 27 overall choice in the 2022 NBA Draft, played little as a rookie before becoming a regular for the Heat in 2023-24, his second season in the league.
With Caleb Martin joining the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency, Jovic and Jaime Jaquez Jr. may see increased responsibilities in the upcoming 2024-25 season.
