At just 21 years old, Nikola Jovic is already preparing to play the third season of his NBA career under the colors of the Heat and he approaches things with confidence, despite a summer spent treating his physical problems.
” I would say I am almost fully recovered. » does he deliver today about this. There is a small ligament that still needs to heal, I was told it would take a little while, but it shouldn't be a problem. Overall, I feel 100%. »
The call of selection stronger than pain
As a reminder, Nikola Jovic had to deal with a left ankle injury for weeks, which almost prevented him from participating in the Olympic Games. Finally, the young winger was on the trip to France and helped as best he could (4.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists) Serbia to win bronze in Paris.
” It wasn't just a simple sprained ankle, but it was a small fracture. ” he explains, regarding this episode. ” I had MRI scans and at that point, [les médecins] weren't sure if I would be able to participate in the Olympics. But my goal was simply to be there, with the team, to help them as much as possible. […] We flew to Paris and I knew I wasn't fit because I hadn't played for a while. My foot wasn't ready for me to play a big role, we knew that and the coach understood that. But he wanted me to be there, he kept thinking I could help and that's what I did.. »
Recently extended by the leaders of MiamiNikola Jovic now intends to confirm his progress in the 2023–24 season (7.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists). Ideally, he already hopes to be able to experience a training camp without complications, end of September.
” We make sure my foot is in good condition after every workout because the injury I had is serious and we don't want it to cause problems again. ” reveals the native of Leicester, England. ” So I wouldn't say I'm going to skip training camp, but just make sure everything is in order. If something starts to hurt, I'll probably rest, but I don't think that's going to be the case and I'm looking forward to being 100 percent, giving it my all.. »
| Nikola Jovic | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2022-23 | MIA | 15 | 14 | 40.6 | 22.9 | 94.7 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 5.5 |
| 2023-24 | MIA | 46 | 20 | 45.2 | 39.9 | 70.2 | 0.5 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 7.7 |
| Total | 61 | 18 | 44.3 | 36.9 | 77.3 | 0.6 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 7.1 | |
How to read the stats? GM = Games Played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots Made / Shots Attempted; 3pts = 3-pointers / 3-pointers Attempted; LF = Free Throws Made / Free Throws Attempted; Off = Offensive Rebound; Def = Defensive Rebound; Tot = Total Rebounds; Pd = Assists; Fte: Personal Fouls; Int = Steals; Bp = Loose Balls; Ct: Blocks; Pts = Points.
