Nikola Vucevic names Giannis Antetokounmpo to his best European starting five

It’s no surprise Vooch chose Giannis for one of the slots.

© Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic is preparing to represent Montenegro in the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Manila, Philippines. During their recent media session, the versatile big man was asked who his best European starting five would be. To nobody’s surprise, Vooch gave one of the spots to Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Europe’s best

Adding he’d be content to be the coach of this high-powered quintet, Vooch named Slovenia’s Luka Doncic as the team’s point guard. Already a four-time All-Star and a four-time All-NBA player at age 24, the Dallas Mavericks superstar represents the present and the future of the European game.

"Shooting guard, Bogdan Bogdanovic. At the three, I'd probably put Lauri Markkanen. Four, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and five, Nikola Jokic,” Vucevic said.

Bogdanovic, the Serbian sharpshooter, is a dependable wingman who shot 40 percent from three-point land for the Atlanta Hawks last season. Markkanen, the Finnish forward, had his breakout season last year, becoming an All-Star for the first time after averaging over 25 points and eight rebounds for the Utah Jazz.

Jokic’s resume speaks for itself. The Denver Nuggets center is a two-time MVP who led the Denver Nuggets to the NBA title last season.

Nikola Vucevic has been enjoying Media Day ahead of the FIBA WC (starts Friday)

Do you agree with his European starting 5?#BullsNation pic.twitter.com/4zzC3GTk2z

— Chicago Bulls Chat - See Red UK (@SeeRedUK) August 22, 2023

Greek Freak

The anchor of this Euro Dream Team would be Antetokounmpo, who is arguably the best player in this starting five, not named Jokic. Three of the five Vooch mentioned are set to play in the FIBA World Cup—Bogdanovic, Markannen, and Doncic.

Giannis, though, took time off from playing for Greece as he continues to recover from a knee procedure he had after the Bucks’ season ended. Jokic, on the other hand, opted not to play for Serbia, citing fatigue from the long NBA season.