The Israeli national team is going up a level. In the semifinals of the Olympic pre-qualifying tournament (Friday, 21:30 p.m.), she will meet two NBA players and a senior Euroleague player. Dejanan Musa is Real Madrid's Luka Garza, Minnesota Timberwolves' Luka Garza and, above all, one of the top centers in the best league in the world, Yusuf Nurkic.
The Bosnian center, who will turn 29 in the coming days, is very loyal to the national team despite the many problems it has, which we will detail below. He makes sure to appear at every opportunity and serves as its leader, more than that, he is the mouth of the players, who in light of what is happening in the national team need a responsible adult.
Nurkic was born in Tuzla, started his career at Zdevita Zagreb and even made 6 Euroleague appearances, but already at the age of 19 he moved to play in the best league in the world. His body size (2.13) and talent left no doubt as to the future ahead. Soon, he will begin his tenth season in the US.
Nurkic. Very physical, photo: EPA
He was selected 16th overall in the 2014 draft by Chicago, and the rights to him were transferred to the Denver Nuggets where he played nearly three seasons. Already in his first season, he was named to the league's second rookie team. The big upgrade came when he moved to the Portland Trail Blazers, where he still plays today. Last summer, he signed a four-season, $4 million contract.
His trump card is stability. Nurkic is putting up excellent numbers season after season and keeping his ability high. 7 consecutive seasons he averaged double-digit points and 4 of them was also in double digits in rebounds. He was able to overcome a serious injury in March 2019 that sidelined him for a long time. Nurkic has a very warm temperament. Eighteen months ago, he paid nearly $70,<> in fines for confronting Tyler Hero and throwing a cell phone at a fan in the stands.
There is no center who can physically handle him in this tournament. In Europe, he's a tiebreaker, and Roman Sorkin faces a challenge he hasn't had before in the tournament and perhaps in his career at all. On the other hand, it should be noted that he is not at the peak of his fitness and the problems in the national team affect him as well.
Avdija vs. Nurkic in the NBA. The Israeli will be missed, photo: AFP
"Let me run the team"
What is happening in the Bosnian camp, and not for the first time, is a big mess due to poor conditions and lack of proper management of the national team. The one who goes out and says it all without being beautiful is leader Nurkic.
In an interview with the Bosnian press, he spoke about the situation in an interview, and protested the lack of professionalism in the national team. Because of financial problems, he says that four players sleep together in a room, there is no fitness coach, preparation has been disrupted and the players have to get to the field in taxis. Worst of all, according to him, there is no address to turn to. Nurkic was clear and clear: "Let me manage the team and you will see that there will be no problems in any area. I'm willing to take it all on me."
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