EuroBasket Countdown: Bogdanovic Embraces Pressure as Serbia Eyes First Title in 24 Years
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With EuroBasket set to tip off next week, Serbia captain Bogdan Bogdanovic acknowledged the heightened expectations surrounding a roster that features Nikola Jokic and several other marquee names.
“We understand the weight of the 24-year drought, but our attention has to remain on the tournament in front of us,” Bogdanovic told reporters on Aug. 20. Serbia has been drawn into a demanding Group A alongside Turkey, Czechia, Portugal, Estonia, and host Latvia.
Assessing the Competition
Bogdanovic said Jokic’s court vision keeps the star center “a few steps ahead” of opposing defenses. He also highlighted two other EuroBasket headliners: Greece’s Giannis Antetokounmpo—“a defensive force who punishes every mistake in transition”—and Slovenia’s Luka Doncic, whom he believes is capable of scoring “50 or 60 points on any given night.”
Injury Update on Adem Bona
Turkish big man Adem Bona left Wednesday’s victory over Lithuania after an apparent leg issue, but sources told BasketNews the Philadelphia 76ers rookie is expected to be available when the tournament begins. The 21-year-old logged only seven minutes before exiting.
Latvia’s Rise Under Luca Banchi
Former NBA forward Davis Bertans credited outgoing national team coach Luca Banchi for transforming Latvia into a credible contender. “Under his leadership, we dropped the underdog tag and gained a collective confidence that any opponent is within reach,” Bertans said. EuroBasket will mark Banchi’s final event with the Latvian squad.
Avdija Headlines Israel’s 12-Man Squad
Deni Avdija is the lone NBA player on Israel’s roster, which finished 3-2 in exhibition play. Israel will compete in Group D with Belgium, France, Iceland, Slovenia, and host Poland.
Source: Hoops Rumors
