Nikola Jokic, Serbian center of the NBA's Denver Nuggets announced on May 24 that he would play for his country at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China.

"I am very pleased with everything I did in the NBA this season, I had a great year in which I performed at the All-Star Game and was selected in the NBA All-Star Five. For me, the cherry on top of this whole season would be a medal with the national team. I am fully prepared to do my best to achieve this goal," Jokic told the Serbian State News Agency.

Nicknamed "Joker", 24-year-old Jokic just had the best season in his career. He played the first All-Star Game as a starting player; he helped Denver rank No. 2 in the Western Conference and make the Conference semifinals in the playoffs; he was selected into the 2019 All-NBA First Team, outshining Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns.

Jokic is the perfect example of center in today's NBA. He has right size (2.13 meters tall, 113 kilograms heavy) to fill the paint and enough strength to take on all centers in both offense and defense; he can shoot 3-pointers, dribble penetrate, post up and has the soft touch that enables him to finish via fadeaway, perimeter shot, hook shot, hook or floater. Most importantly, Jokic is smart enough to play as the team's engine. His skillful and clever pass can always lead teammates to scoring chances.

Jokic will not be carrying the national by himself. He may be joined by Bogdan Bogdanovic and Nemanja Bjelica from the Sacramento Kings, Boban Marjanovic of the Philadelphia 76ers and Milos Teodosic who just left the Los Angeles Clippers.

Serbia is in Group D with the Philippines and Angola and Italy, which will become Serbia's biggest opponent in this group.