Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks to pass during the first half against the Miami Heat in Game Three of the 2023 NBA Finals at Kaseya Center on June 07, 2023 in Miami, Florida. Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines—Serbian superstar Nikola Jokic will miss the upcoming Fiba World Cup in Manila.
Jokic, the two-time NBA MVP, begged off from playing for Serbia in World Cup set to tip off next month.
According to a report by Mozzart Sport, Jokic will take time off in the summer to rest in preparation for the next NBA season.
A fine mixture of tradition and talented prospects 🌟#FIBAWC x #WinForSrbija 🇷🇸 pic.twitter.com/T4nusRa7Un
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) July 24, 2023
Jokic was coming off a grueling NBA campaign, leading the Denver Nuggets to their first-ever championship.
Fellow NBA veteran Bogdan Bogdanovic also tried to convince Jokic to reconsider his decision but to no avail.
Aside from Jokic, Barcelona star Nikola Kalinic and Vasilije Milicic were also not included in the 20-man World Cup pool released by Serbia on Monday.