Milutinov accepts challenge as Serbian leader

MANILA (Philippines) - Serbia are always considered among the title contenders at a FIBA Basketball World Cup. One of the biggest reasons the Serbians are in the 2023 Semi-Finals is because of the play of Nikola Milutinov.

 

The big man has dominated in the paint throughout his second World Cup, collecting three double-doubles and averaging 13.2 points, 8.8 rebounds in the tournament. In Serbia's 87-68 Quarter-Finals win over Lithuania, Milutinov produced 9 points and 5 rebounds but also played tough defense against Lithuanian star center Jonas Valanciunas.

Jonas Valanciunas vs Nikola Milutinov

"He's an amazing player and everybody knows this, and he knows that we trust him and we have a lot of offenses and set plays for him," Serbian forward Marko Guduric said about Milutinov. "He's been one of the most dominant big guys in Europe for years, and I think he acknowledged this challenge with Jonas (Valanciunas), and I think he did an amazing job."

The 28-year-old Milutinov says had just one goal coming to Asia this summer.

Nikola Milutinov and Ognjen Dobric

"I just want to win the medal. I have never won a medal with the senior national team. and that's my dream. And I hope that my dream will come true," said the Novi Sad native, who played for Serbia at the 2015 and 2022 FIBA EuroBaskets and the 2019 World Cup.

Milutinov is playing by far his biggest role in the Serbian team. And that is because the two-time NBA MVP and reigning NBA champion Nikola Jokic is not with the team in Manila.

"I knew my position from the beginning of the preparations. I knew that unfortunately our best player was not with us, and I knew that I had to step up to help us," Milutinov said. "We have a lot of young guys and I took the challenge and I'm really happy how I'm performing until now because the team is winning and we are on the good path."

Filip Petrusev

One of those young players learning from Milutinov has been Filip Petrusev.

"I mean he's huge. He's a hard worker and he just brings 100 percent every single day, especially every single game and like today he played against Valanciunas who is one of the best bigs in the in the NBA and he stopped him basically and was really an impact player today. It's been great learning from him and watching how he plays," the 23-year-old center Petrusev said. 

And how he helps lead a team. 

FIBA