22/12/2024
If Yugoslavia had not split, Luka Doncic (Slovenia) and Nikola Jokic (Serbia) would be playing for the same national team. Yugoslavia is currently tied with the USA for the most championships in the FIBA Basketball World Cup:
⭐️ Yugoslavia: 5 (2002, 1998, 1990, 1978, 1970)
🇺🇸 USA: 5 (2014, 2010, 1994, 1986, 1954)
⭐️ Soviet Union: 3 (1982, 1974, 1967)
🇪🇸 Spain: 2 (2019, 2006)
🇧🇷Brazil: 2 (1963, 1959)
🇩🇪 Germany: 1 (2023)
🇦🇷 Argentina: 1 (1950)
Imagine this starting 5:
G/F: Luka Doncic (Slovenia, Mavs)
G/F: Bogdan Bogdanovic (Serbia, Hawks)
F: Bojan Bogdanovic (Croatia, Knicks)
F/C: Nikola Vučević (Montenegro, Bulls)
C: Nikola Jokic (Serbia, Nuggets)
Bench (Select 7 of these players):
PG: Nikola Topić (Serbia, Projected top 5 pick)
PG: Vasilije Micić (Serbia, Hornets)
G/F: Mario Hezonja (Croatia, Real Madrid)
G/F: Dzanan Musa (Bosnia, Real Madrid)
F: Dario Saric (Croatia, Warriors)
F: Vlatko Čančar (Nuggets, Slovenia)
F/C: Nikola Jovic (Serbia, Heat)
C: Jusuf Nurkic (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Suns)
C: Ivica Zubac (Croatia, Clippers)
F: Aleksej Pokuševski (Serbia, Hornets)
F: Dragan Bender (Croatia)
C: Boban Marjanović (Rockets, Serbia)
Lots of players are not even mentioned here that are really good playing outside the NBA.
(Via@NBA Stats Nation)