BELGRADE (Serbia) - It's not something Nikola Jokic asked for, yet coach Dusan Alimpijevic believes it's what Serbia need as they head into next week's vital European Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027.
Jokic, for the first time, will captain the national team in their game at Switzerland on July 2 in Fribourg and again four days later in Belgrade against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The emotions are definitely much stronger and different.
After two defeats to Türkiye in the last window, Serbia are 2-2 in the European Qualifiers and needing wins.
Jokic, as captain, will set out to make sure Serbia get two victories.
"I've been given that honor and privilege," he said on Tuesday at a national team press conference. "I'm not entirely sure whether I deserve it, considering so many great names have ’worn the captain’s armband’ before me.
"There are guys here older than I am, but the coach entrusted me with it. I'll do my best to carry that responsibility on the court."
Jokic has already been a leader in the team, setting a good example every time he's with the Serbia, be it in practice or during games. He's also, despite his superstar status as a three-time NBA MVP, a great character in the locker room. Teammates gravitate to him.
So far, even as captain, Jokic says the reunion with Serbia feels no different.
"It’s always the same feeling," he said. "I've played with some of these guys before, while with others I'm getting to know them for the first time. It's always a privilege and a pleasure to be here. Spending time together, enjoying the experience…“
Jokic is much loved in Denver, the only NBA team he has played for. It's a club that he led to the NBA title in 2023. Yet playing for Serbia, he says, creates different sensations.
"The emotions are definitely much stronger and different," he said. "Here, you represent the players and coaches you work with. You represent your city, your country, and your family. The emotions are incredibly powerful."
Making Jokic captain was an easy decision for the coach. It helped that Jokic never wavered in his commitment to play this summer.
“It was never really a question," Alimpijevic said. "From day one, our communication has always pointed in that direction. He has never caused any issues.
"It's been a very straightforward story since the moment I took over as head coach. Whenever his club commitments allow, he will be with the national team.
"He's someone who genuinely enjoys representing his country - it makes him happy, fulfilled, and he embraces everything that comes with it. We can all see the way he conducts himself - it’s at the highest possible level. That's why there's no doubt that he is the right person to captain Serbia."
What is also not in question is the quality of Jokic as a basketball player. There really is no one like him in the world; a center that can score, pass, rebound and defend. He's intelligent, and his hard work in practice and games rubs off on others.
After coming up just short of the Gold Medal Game at the 2024 Olympics, Jokic capped a magnificent campaign in France by leading Serbia past Germany in the battle for bronze. That game had followed Serbia's heartbreaking loss to the USA in the Semi-Finals.
Despite his elite play at FIBA EuroBasket 2025, Jokic and Serbia exited the event after a Round of 16 upset at the hands of Finland.
That disappointment, clearly, stayed with Jokic for a long time because when he was asked about joining the national team, he answered with a smile: "Maybe part of it comes from a sense of guilt over the disappointing result we achieved at the last tournament.
"So that I can go home without feeling ashamed. We want to get back to where we belong."
Jokic also offered a different, more lighthearted reason as to why Alimpijevic made him captain.
"We even played against each other when he was coaching Vojvodina," he said. "He lost to me back then. Maybe this is his way of getting back at me now."
THIS IS THE BEST TEAM WE COULD HAVE ASSEMBLED. EVERYTHING HAS LOOKED GOOD SO FAR
Really the most important thing for Serbia is not that Jokic is captain, but that they win and boost their chances of qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar.
To win, the right mix of players need to be in the team.
And, despite their two losses to Türkiye, Serbia will be favorites in the next two games. The coach doesn't like hearing that kind of talk, especially knowing that his team had to come back from 23 points to beat Switzerland, 90-86, in the first meeting.
"Yes, we are Serbia. Yes, we consider ourselves a basketball powerhouse. But our past has taught us important lessons. We have to approach every game with the utmost respect.”
FIBA