Why is Serbia so Good at Basketball? Know Here
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Updated Aug 09, 2024
Why is Serbia so Good at Basketball?
Serbia is really good at basketball for a few reasons:
Great Players:
Serbia has some amazing players like Nikola Jokic and Bogdan Bogdanovic. These players are very skilled and have played well in big games.
Strong Shooting:
Serbian players are really good at making shots, especially three-pointers. In the game against the U.S., they made 15 three-pointers, which helped them get a big lead.
Teamwork:
The Serbian team works well together. They pass the ball a lot, which makes it easier to score. They had 15 assists in one of the games, showing how well they share the ball.
Good Training:
Serbia has a strong basketball training system. They work hard on their skills from a young age, which helps them become great players.
Experience:
Many Serbian players have experience playing in big tournaments and leagues around the world. This experience helps them stay calm and play well in important games.
All these things make Serbia a very tough team to beat in basketball.
Basketball in Serbia
Basketball is really popular in Serbia. The men’s national team has won two World Cups in 1998 and 2002 and silver medals in 2014 and 2023. They also won three European Championships 1995, 1997, and 2001, a FIBA Diamond Ball in 2004, and Olympic silver medals 1996 and 2016.
The women’s team won the European Championship twice 2015 and 2021 and an Olympic bronze medal in 2016. Serbia's 3x3 basketball team is amazing, winning six World Cups and five Europe Cups.
Famous Serbian players include Nikola Jokić, who won the NBA Championship in 2023 and is a three-time NBA MVP. Other stars are Predrag Stojaković and Vlade Divac. Coaches like Željko Obradović have won many Euroleague titles. Basketball is the second most popular sport in Serbia, just after football.
List of Serbia Basketball Players
Player |
Entry Year |
Drafted By |
Nikola Jokić | 2015 | Denver Nuggets |
Boban Marjanović | 2015 | Undrafted |
Bogdan Bogdanović | 2017 | Phoenix Suns |
Aleksej Pokuševski | 2020 | Minnesota Timberwolves |
Nikola Jović | 2022 | Miami Heat |
Vasilije Micić | 2023 | Philadelphia 76ers |
Tristan Vukčević | 2024 | Washington Wizards |
Nikola Topić | 2024 | Oklahoma City Thunder |
Sports in Serbia
Sports are a big deal in Serbia, where people love football, basketball, tennis, volleyball, water polo, and handball. The country has famous sports clubs like Red Star and Partizan in Belgrade. Serbia has hosted big events like the European Basketball Championship and the World Handball Championship.
Football is the most popular, with the national team going to three FIFA World Cups. Serbia also excels in basketball, with teams winning world and European titles. Novak Djokovic, a top tennis player, has won the most Grand Slam titles ever. Serbia's water polo team is very successful, winning Olympic gold medals. In volleyball, Serbia’s teams have won Olympic and world titles. Chess is another strong sport, with Serbian players winning many top tournaments.