BELGRADE (Serbia) - There are times in our lives as international basketball fans that we put our hands together, look to the heavens and say thanks.
Now is one of those times since we've just discovered that Nikola Jokic and Serbia are hosting Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece in a pre-Olympic friendly on July 22 in Belgrade.
This is the second time in three summers that the two behemoths in the game will square off against each other with their national teams.
It will be hard to beat the first meeting. In that game on August 25, 2022, a European Qualifier for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, the two put on a show that fans in both countries still talk about.
Novak Djokovic, Serbia's legendary tennis icon, sat courtside with another legend, coach Zeljko Obradovic, and watched.
Fans were mesmerized as Antetokounmpo had 40 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. The 29 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 1 steal by Jokic, however, helped Serbia prevail.
After overtime, Serbia had a 97-92 victory.
With the game coming up on July 22 being played just a week before the Olympics, fans will be able to expect plenty of fireworks.
FIBA