Nikola Jovic has had a great offseason run, and it’s been on full display during his play in EuroBasket 2025 with Serbia. As he continues to gain valuable experience, the Miami Heat may have one man to thank if Jovic does continue to take huge steps in his development: Nikola Jokic.

In his words, Jovic has learned a lot from (arguably) the best player in the world. As the two continue to guide Serbia as the favorites to win the EuroBasket Tournament, Jovic is fully embracing this opportunity.

“I learned a lot from him, offensively and defensively. He’s the best player in the world… if you’re in the right spot, he’ll find you. It’s really easy to play with him.”

Nikol Jovic on playing with Nikola Jokic

Playing alongside the best basketball player in the world should make life a lot easier. However, Jovic has clearly shown much promise during his time with Team Serbia this summer. In four games of group play, Jovic is averaging 12 points and five rebounds per game on 56 percent shooting from 3-point range.

Nikola Jovic is heading into a make-it-or-break-it year

Jovic has clearly improved his stock from a year ago, when his standing with the Heat was still very much up in the air. The hope for Miami is that Jovic can continue to build off his showing for Team Serbia and translate that toward taking the next developmental step in his game this season.

In what will be a contract year for Jovic, if the big leap toward potential stardom doesn’t come this season, it may never.

For both the Heat and Jovic, this is going to be an increasingly important year for their futures – together or apart. Jovic could go a long way in determining his financial future with a big year, and the Heat will have to make a decision on whether they want to extend him or not.

This summer is certainly a good starting point for Jovic for the new year, but there’s still much he’ll need to prove once training camp and the start of the season arrive.

Jovic appears to be making the most of the opportunity to play alongside the best player in the world this summer, and if he carries this momentum into this upcoming season, and he does manage to take another step as a budding young star, the Heat know exactly who they should thank.

I wouldn’t say Jokic deserves all the credit. After all, it’s Jovic who is putting in all the work at the end of the day. But there’s no question that Jokic has played a role this summer in Jovic’s development. And if you’re the Heat, you should be grateful that their young star has such a great influence.