Jokić Crowned ABA League Icon: "This Award Means a Lot, and Its Weight Will Only Grow!"

Pulse Sports Team 15:31 - 05 September 2026

Serbian basketball star Nikola Jokić shared his thoughts after receiving the ABA League Icon award.

Ljubljana recently hosted a gala event celebrating 25 years of the ABA League, where numerous accolades were distributed.

Among the honorees was Nikola Jokić, who was recognized as an ABA League Icon.

Following the award, Jokić delivered a powerful message.

"Thank you for this recognition. It means a great deal to me, considering I grew up with this league, played in it, and followed it as a child. A large number of talented and quality players have come through this league, some still playing today, so it's a significant honor. However, I believe these awards will gain even more weight once my career is over and I look back. But, it is certainly a great recognition." - Nikola Jokić

Bokan Slams EuroLeague Over Dubai Inclusion

The president of Budućnost, Bokan, didn't mince words as he addressed a pressing issue: the relationship between the ABA League and Europe's top competitions. Bokan emphasized the significant problem that winning the regional championship no longer guarantees a spot in the elite European basketball scene.

Teams in the region, he highlighted, face complete uncertainty as the criteria for entry into the EuroLeague, EuroCup, FIBA Champions League, or FIBA Europe Cup are unclear at the start of each season. He directly demanded concrete answers and a future plan from EuroLeague and FIBA officials, citing the entry of the United Arab Emirates project as a stark example.

The Podgorica president publicly questioned how a club like Dubai, which has existed for less than two years, could swiftly receive an invitation and a place in the elite competition, implying that money has become the sole entry parameter in European basketball.

"So, I need 50 or 100 million euros, and I can do whatever I want," Bokan sharply concluded, in his characteristic style.