Filip Jovic

Statistics: 23.3 PTS, 58.7% 2FG, 0/4 3FG, 57.1% FT, 7.7 REB, 2.3 ASS, 3.3 STL, 3.7 TO in 29:27 MIN

While Jovic still dominated the qualifying tournament in Belgrade at the beginning of April with his pure power, this time he had to compete with stronger teams and opponents. Nevertheless, he just missed the all-tournament team. His very well-developed feel for the game, his patient post-ups (many fakes and good footwork) and constant will to push the ball after a caught defensive rebound made him once again a dangerous weapon offensively. He also had no problems on finishes with contact, but on quickly forced decisions when the opposing help-side sank and doubled him. He often seemed too frantic in these situations. 

He was the leader of his Mega team and is also one of the best competitors in the tournament. On the negative side, his distance shooting (0/4) and his free throw shooting (16/28) is still something to note. With his style of play, he will certainly be at the line often, but this also sometimes led to intentional fouls by opponents at the ANGT to take advantage of his weak percentages and not let him operate in the post. Therefore, it also remains to be seen how he will present himself on the pro-level soon. I am sure he will find his way to be efficient in the long run.

19.2 points, 28/42 2FG, 3/6 3FG, 3.7 rebounds

Jovic was one of the most important pieces of the MEGA roster that clinched the ANGT finals which will take place in Kaunas. The undersized big was too strong for everyone else in the event and enjoyed it pretty much the whole tournament. Jovic averaged 19.2 points and 3.7 rebounds per game and got himself a spot in the All-Tournament Team. 

Jovic runs the floor really well after grabbing the rebound and can rise up with authority all of a sudden. Doesn’t have the best ball handling skills but can get passed his opponents in full court using his pace and basketball IQ pretty well. He is a solid post scorer and a good athlete, the most important part of his post game is his patience though. He showed how he tricks his matchups around the paint with shot fakes and footwork in Belgrade, he can wait as long as he needs to get open looks or draw fouls, can finish through contact as well. He hangs in the air and knows when and how to finish which is impressive for his age. If he doesn’t get the ball around the paint, he can get it around the 3-point line and still make plays, when he’s 100% sure that he’s going to drive into the paint and score, hard to stop his explosive and powerful slashes but makes mistakes when things don’t go as planned or help defense shows up. 

How his game will translate when having to play against bigs with more strength and size in the big stages of pro level is one of the biggest questions about Jovic’s upside. He is a good competitor and will still find ways to show himself no matter what but has to add more tools to his game on both ends of the floor. Tried 6 shots behind the 3-point line in Belgrade and made 3 of them which is a good sign. He needs to stretch the floor much more than he does and be more aggressive on defense, can see him as a power forward and a small ball 5 in the EuroLeague easily.