By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Serbian forward Nikola Jovic has submitted paperwork to the NBA office to make himself eligible for the 2022 draft, his agent told ESPN.
Jovic is ranked at No. 23 in ESPN’s Top 100 and is generally projected as a first-round pick. The 18-year-old is averaging 11.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 28 minutes per game.
He joined Mega in 2018 and was with the club since, making his senior debut in early 2021 and taking on a bigger role this season. Jovic also made his debut for the Serbian senior national team, posting 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists in a FIBA World Cup qualifying game against Slovakia in February.
Jovic put his name on the map in March of 2021, when he averaged an impressive 29.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.8 blocks through the Next Generation Tournament in Belgrade.
In the FIBA Under-19 World Cup last summer, he was named to the all-tournament team alongside projected top-five picks Chet Holmgren and Jaden Ivey, as well as presumptive 2023 No. 1 pick favorite Victor Wembanyama.