DENVER (NBA/EuroBasket 2015) - The NBA regular season is so long, that a player's fortunes can change very quickly, particularly in the case of rookies.

After getting limited playing time early on in the 2014-15 campaign, Jusuf Nurkic has progressively been gaining more importance for the Denver Nuggets over the last month.

The 2.12m center from Bosnia and Herzegovina has stepped into the starting line-up following the trade that sent Russia's Timofey Mozgov to the Cleveland Cavaliers and is averaging 6.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game on the season.

The native of Tuzla is widely considered one of the best up-and-coming European big men and showed just why last summer by averaging 21.4 points, 12 rebounds and 3.2 assists for his country at the U20 European Championship.

He is expected to be one a key player for Bosnia and Herzegovina at EuroBasket 2015 where they will take on France, Russia, Israel, Finland, and Poland in Group A.

FIBA.com caught up with Nurkic to talk about his rookie season in the NBA and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s national team.

I have been showing in the last few weeks that I can be a solid NBA player - Nurkic

FIBA: Your playing time has increased over the last month. How do you feel about the way you've played in that stretch?
Nurkic: I feel good and in great shape. The beginning of the season was a bit complicated but I kept working hard in order to show to the coach that I was ready to help the team. I have been having more minutes since December and I am trying to do my best every time I am on the court. I am bringing my energy on defense and grabbing a lot of rebounds. I am still learning.

FIBA: Do you feel you have made a full transition to the NBA?
Nurkic: Not yet. I am still getting used to some aspects of the game, like the pace and the athleticism of some players. I have been playing against big men who are incredibly quick and fast and I was not used to that until I arrived in the NBA. Also, it is not always easy to be a rookie because you need to earn the respect of the other players. I am young and nobody knew me until a couple of weeks ago. I am doing my best every night in order to be a competitive player and be respected as such.

FIBA: From a team perspective, it's been a difficult season so far with 18 wins and 27 losses.
Nurkic: Our season is not going the way we want it to go. We are still looking for the best chemistry on the court and we need to be better on the defensive end. We have been working hard but we haven't been able yet to have some extended winning streaks. We had some long losing streaks and that doesn't help us gain confidence. We have no choice but to keep working hard and win more games as soon as possible in order to reach a playoff spot.

I want to help Bosnia and Herzegovina have a very competitive national team - Nurkic

FIBA: Where does playing at EuroBasket 2015 rank among your list of goals?
Nurkic: I always like to play with the national team. I was not able to help the team last summer due to a knee injury but I am always looking forward to represent my country. It is a bit too early to think about the Eurobasket but it is very important for me to wear the national team jersey.

FIBA: The team will open its campaign in Montpellier's Group A against France, Finland, Israel, Russia and Poland. What are your thoughts on that draw?
Nurkic: The group is tough. France are the current European champions and one of the most competitive teams of the world. The roster has plenty of talented players and [playing at home] they will have the support of the whole country. Russia, Israel, Poland and Finland also have solid players and the games are going to be interesting as every team can reach the next round. Our national team is going to play at its best in order to finish in the first four spot of the group and reach the knockout stage.

FIBA