No Nikola Jokic in World Cup: Denver Nuggets Star Won’t Play for Serbia in FIBA Event

• Nikola Jokic has decided not to play in this year’s 2023 FIBA World Cup
• He cited physical and mental fatigue as the reasons behind his withdrawal
• The two-time MVP played for Serbia in the past two editions of the World Cup

Nikola Jokic will not be playing in this year’s FIBA World Cup.

The two-time NBA MVP has decided to skip the quadrennial event this summer and will instead focus on his preparation for the upcoming NBA season with the Denver Nuggets.

It was a stunning blow to the Serbs, who are looking to win the world championship for the first time this coming September in Manila, Philippines.

Coach Svetislav Pesic explained his star’s decision to skip the World Cup in an interview through Mozzart Sport, saying:

"With Jokic, we had several conversations, and I must say they were some of the best conversations I've had with players who couldn't make it to the roster. He's physically and mentally exhausted, not feeling ready to take responsibility at the moment."

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The Serbian big man is coming off an NBA season in which he played a total of 89 games, per ESPN.

Jokic, who helped the Denver Nuggets win the franchise's first NBA title last June against the Miami Heat, has played a total of 288 regular-season games since the 2019-20 season.

Jokic saw action for the Serbian national team three times since he entered the NBA. He played in the 2016 and 2019 editions of the FIBA World Cup and most recently participated for Serbia in last summer’s Eurobasket.

Wemby skips World Cup

Sports Brief also reported on Victor Wembanyama skipping the FIBA World Cup as he prepares for his rookie season with the San Antonio Spurs.

The No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft was expected to bolster a French national side that won the silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The teen phenom clarified that he had not turned his back on his country, explaining that he would still be suiting up for France in the Paris Olympics next year.