Serbia advanced to the quarterfinals of the Olympic men's basketball tournament behind the superb play of Nikola Jokic, but guard Vasilije Micic has also played an important role.
Micic has been one of the primary ballhandlers for Serbia and the team's third-leading scorer. He's averaged 13.3 points, 5.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game on a solid 36.8 percent shooting from 3 and 50.0 percent from the field.
Micic may not be a household name in America, but he's been on the NBA radar for years. He just wrapped up his first season in the league after a storied career in Europe.
Here's what to know about the Serbian point guard.
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Is Vasilije Micic in the NBA?
Micic was originally drafted by the 76ers with the 52nd pick of the 2014 NBA Draft. The Thunder had been trying to get Micic to come to the NBA for years after trading for his draft rights in 2020. They finally convinced him to leave Europe last summer, signing him to a three-year, $23.5 million deal.
Micic played in 30 games for the Thunder but was never able to carve out a consistent role, due largely to the team's depth at guard. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Cason Wallace and Isaiah Joe were all ahead of him in the rotation.
Micic was deemed to be expendable at the trade deadline, and he was moved to the Hornets as part of a package to bring Gordon Hayward to Oklahoma City.
He saw a big uptick in his minutes after that trade, going from averaging just 12.0 per game in Oklahoma City to 27.2 in Charlotte. Given the chance to play more, Micic provided several highlight-worthy passes to close the year.
Micic is about to become a Hornets legend atp pic.twitter.com/cqTlyxRhxD
— 𝘈𝘭𝘦𝘹 (@AlexDrProf) February 11, 2024
Micic will start the 2024-25 season behind LaMelo Ball in the Hornets' rotation but should continue to be one of the better backup point guards in the league.
Micic was considered one of the best players in Europe before coming over to the NBA last season. He won the Euroleague MVP in 2021, and he helped his team Anadolu Efes win the Euroleague championship in 2021 and 2022.
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Vasilije Micic scouting report
Micic is an absolute joy to watch in the pick-and-roll. His basketball IQ is off the charts. His ability to thread the needle with wraparound passes is one-of-a-kind.
While not blessed with explosive athleticism, Micic is a master of manipulation. He uses subtle changes of pace to create scoring opportunities. His knack for finding open spaces and finishing through traffic is impressive. Coupled with his deadly shooting touch from beyond the arc, Micic is a nightmare for defenses to contain.
However, Micic's defensive limitations are a clear concern. His lack of elite athleticism and wingspan make it difficult for him to guard quicker opponents. While he possesses good basketball instincts, his defensive impact is inconsistent.
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Vasilije Micic NBA stats
| Stat | Average |
|---|---|
| Points | 7.0 |
| Assists | 4.4 |
| Rebounds | 1.5 |
| Steals | 0.5 |
| Field Goal % | 43.0% |
| 3-point % | 27.9% |
| Free throw % | 81.3% |
Vasilije Micic contract
Micic signed a three-year, $23.5 million contract in 2023. He has a team option for the 2025-26 season.
| Season | Salary |
| 2024-25 | $7,723,000 |
| 2025-26 | $8,109,150 (TO) |
