Teodosic looks for full-strength Serbia to challenge for honors at World Cup

BELGRADE (Serbia) - If a full strength Serbia shows up in China this summer to play at the first-ever 32-team FIBA Basketball World Cup, look out! That is what most fans not only in the country but all over Europe are surely thinking after watching Serbia become one of the best teams in international basketball the past several years.

Milos Teodosic is hopeful that Serbia's big guns will on be on board when they arrive at the tournament and make a run at a second straight Final in the competition.

"The first goal is to get to the preparations healthy," Teodosic said to FIBA.basketball. "Regarding the World Cup, it’s too early to talk about medals or qualifying for the Olympic Games. (But) I have already said this, if we play like we know and fight like we can, we will get good results."

Nearly five years ago, Teodosic, a point guard, pulled many of the strings as Serbia survived a difficult Group Phase and then stormed into the championship game before falling to the United States. Serbia two years later reached the title game of the Olympics with emerging star Nikola Jokic showing off his talent.

"IF WE (SERBIA) PLAY LIKE WE KNOW AND FIGHT LIKE WE CAN, WE WILL GET GOOD RESULTS."- Teodosic

Jokic just completed a terrific campaign with the Denver Nuggets, leading the team into the Western Conference Semi-Finals. Serbia would love to have him in the Far East but they have yet to announce which players will be in the squad.

When asked if it's possible that Serbia will have all the best players for the World Cup, Teodosic answered: "I believe so. I just hope there will be no injuries this year so we don't have problems with that. I think there's a chance everyone will be there."

Would Teodosic, one of the veterans, use his strong voice in the Serbia locker room and try to persuade those to play in China if they have yet to commit.

Serbia fans are hoping Jokic will be with the team in China

"If there's something to discuss with any of the players, of course I will do it, but it will be among us only," he said. "That’s the way we will handle things. Not publicly."

Teodosic's presence is assured, and that's great news for spectators in China. They will have a chance to see one of the best passers in the game.

He missed FIBA EuroBasket 2017 and only played in last two of the European Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup. In those two games, which were played in February, the 32-year-old was terrific.

He scored 16 points and dished out 10 assists in a 71-70 defeat at Estonia in Tallinn and then had 11 points and 9 assists in a 97-76 rout of Israel in Belgrade.

Because Teodosic hasn't played for a club since the Los Angeles Clippers released him on February 7, he will be well rested when he links up with Serbia for the start of training camp.

"It's unusual, I’m not used to that," he said. "That’s a new experience for me. I just hope it will be the last time it happens. But, it is what it is. I've rested enough and now it's time for me to work. I have to focus on work, on basketball, to use this free time before preparations start the best possible way."

Serbia will play in Group D with Angola, Philippines and Italy. If they finish in the top two, Teodosic and Co will face, in Second Round Group J,  the top two sides from a Group C that is made up of Spain, Iran, Puerto Rico and Tunisia.

Serbia are No. 4 in the FIBA World Ranking Presented by Nike.

FIBA