Serbian Coach Expects Nikola Jokić to Play for National Team This Summer Serbia’s basketball summer just got a jolt of star power: coach Dušan Alimpijević says he fully expects three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić to suit up for the national team in both July and August World Cup qualifying windows. No official roster yet, but the message is clear — the federation is betting big on its biggest name.

How the news broke

Speaking from Athens, where he’s attending the EuroLeague Final Four, Alimpijević told Mozzart Sport that “Nikola Jokić should be present for both windows in July and August,” framing it as “phenomenal” reinforcement for Serbia’s qualifying push. Pro-government outlets immediately blasted the story as “Great News” and “spectacular news from the most reliable source,” turning a coach’s expectation into near-certainty that the “best player on the planet” will carry Serbia against Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina in July, then a tougher slate including Italy and Lithuania in August.

Jokić as patriotic symbol

Across the political press, one line from Alimpijević dominated: Jokić “really lives for the national team,” with communication described as taking place on “the simplest and easiest possible level.” Pro-government sports pages leaned into that patriot narrative, emphasizing that Jokić has been calling teammates to thank them for their fight in previous qualifying windows and portraying his expected arrival as a moral as well as sporting boost.

The fine print — and a missing captain

The same interviews carried a caveat: nothing is guaranteed before June 22, when health and NBA obligations could still intervene. Meanwhile, captain Bogdan Bogdanović is almost certain to skip the July games due to club issues and minor health problems, though he is expected to join in August.

Opposition-leaning outlet Danas ran the same core quotes but with a cooler tone, stressing that Alimpijević “expects” rather than confirms Jokić, and foregrounding the uncertainties and Bogdanović’s absence as much as the hype.

Between the triumphant headlines and the cautious wording, one thing is undeniable: Serbian basketball is preparing as if its brightest star will actually show up this summer.

[1] Politika / Žurnal – “Alimpijević: Jokić should be present for both windows in July and August” – Coach Dušan Alimpijević says Jokić should be available in both July and August qualification windows, stressing he “lives for the national team” and that communication with him is effortless. https://zurnal.politika.rs//scc/clanak/246832/kosarka/reprezentacija/alimpijevic-jokic-bi-trebalo-da-bude-na-oba-prozora-u-julu-i-avgustu

[2] Telegraf – “Nikola Jokic plays for Serbia in FIBA “windows” in July and August: Alimpijević announces phenomenal news” – Pro-government outlet hails Jokić as “the best player on the planet” and frames his expected participation as huge reinforcement for World Cup qualifiers. https://www.telegraf.rs/sport/kosarka/4330382-nikola-jokic-ce-igrati-za-srbiju-u-fiba-prozorima-u-julu-i-avgustu

[3] Alo / Kurir – “Great News: Nikola Jokić to Play for Serbia” – Tabloid coverage trumpets Jokić’s anticipated appearance as “great” and “spectacular news,” emphasizing his commitment to the national team. https://sport.alo.rs/kosarka/vesti/5108365/velika-vest-nikola-jokic-igra-za-srbiju.html

[4] Danas – “He Lives for the National Team: Alimpijević Expects Jokić to Play for Serbia in the Summer” – Opposition-leaning paper repeats Alimpijević’s expectation of Jokić in both windows but highlights the conditional nature of the plan and Bogdan Bogdanović’s July absence. https://www.danas.rs/sport/dusan-alimpijevic-nikola-jokic-reprezentacija-srbije/